2 U.S. Navy Boats Are In Iranian Custody

The Associated Press reported Tuesday afternoon that two U.S. Navy boats were in Iranian custody. Iran has said that it will return the crew of 10 sailors, as well as the two boats, "promptly." White House Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said that the White House is trying to work on the situation and get the personnel back to their "normal deployment."

Peter Cook, a spokesman for the Pentagon, told the Associated Press that the United States lost contact with the two boats when they were between Kuwait and Bahrain. To be more specific, it occurred near Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf, where Iran has territorial waters. Cook said:

We have been in contact with Iran and have received assurances that the crew and the vessels will be returned promptly.

Although what exactly happened hasn't yet been confirmed, U.S. officials reportedly said that mechanical trouble caused the boats to run aground near the island. The troops were then picked up by Iran.

Just last month, tensions were high between the two countries after the United States claimed that Iran had fired "unguided" rockets in the Strait of Hormuz near American ships and commercial traffic. Iran said that the U.S. was lying, claiming that making such allegations in the "current situation" (i.e. right after the momentous nuclear deal) was a "psychological operation."