Dramatic video shows ten American sailors on their knees as they surrendered to Iranian troops

Daily Mail ^ | Wills Robinson

[KeyLargo]

Dramatic video shows ten American sailors on their knees as they surrendered to Iranian troops in the Persian Gulf while a U.S. 'commander' is filmed apologizing to the revolutionary guard

Footage of sailors on the floor, with hands behind their heads surrounded by Iranian guards has been released It was aired on the Islamic republic's state television after the Navy personnel were freed following a standoff When the sailors were taken off of the boats in the Persian Gulf, they were questioned by the IRGC Later the captives were pictured looking relaxed while sitting on a big carpet sharing plates of food and water One of the sailors was filmed apologizing for their unit's 'mistake' and praised the Iranian's 'fantastic' behavior A female sailor with the group was given a makeshift head scarf to wear while they enjoyed the meal Reports by state media inside Iran stated the U.S. issued a grovelling apology before the sailors were freed However John Kerry's spokesman said there is 'zero truth' to reports the Secretary of State said sorry Kerry did however tell Tehran the release of the sailors would be a 'good story' for both the countries

By Wills Robinson For Dailymail.com and Jennifer Newton for MailOnline

Published: 06:01 EST, 13 January 2016 Updated: 17:05 EST, 13 January 2016

[familyop]

"The names of those held hostage.

-Their mission"

Captainpaintball, all of our foreign and domestic enemies would want their mission and their names to be public knowledge.

[mountn man]

EXACTLY!!!

[Recompennation]

John fing kerry probably sent James Taylor to do ‘I’m your candy man’ song for them.? I’d “believe” it. Weak as water.

[freeandfreezing]

Exactly- even if it was several warships- why the hell did they surrender?

And just how did they know that they were surrendering to representatives of the Iranian government instead of say, ISIS terrorists or some adventuresome pirates?

I can't imagine a US Navy boat operating in the Middle East would even allow the approach of another boat let alone surrender without some specific authorization from way above them in the chain of command.

The US boats had enough armaments to mount a significant defense against the Iranian boats, and probably could have easily defeated the Iranians even without calling for air support.

The headquarters of the US Fifth fleet was only about 120 miles away, and apparently US air resources are located about 20 miles further away. Presumably an F/A-18 or similar aircraft could have been circling over the boats in less than an hour. Except for the island, many miles of water separate the location from Iranian territory. It is hard to imagine that a few guys in a fiberglass boat armed with rifles and a light machine gun would have wanted to tangle with any US combat aircraft.

So I think we all know the most likely reason why the crews surrendered - a high level administration official told them to.

[Bluestocking]

So it’s now open season on the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf.

What were our patrol boats patrolling for except to ensure that the sea lanes were open? And now they know they aren’t, at least not for U.S. naval patrol boats.

And imagine how delighted the Iranians must be at our humiliation. How will they control themselves from conducting ever-more-humiliating encores now that they know that our sailors and their Commander-in-Chief will respond to their provocations by kneeling, cowering, and apologizing instead of by retaliating?

[freeandfreezing]

They were overtaken in international waters by Iranian patrol boats that were so superior in both speed and firepower that it became a “hands up!” situation, with automatic cannons in the 40mm to 76mm range pointed at them point-blank.

Interesting, and based on your experience, a possible scenario. Hard to imagine the crews would even pay much attention to the small boats shown in the photographs, unless of course somebody on our side ordered them to surrender.

I'd like to see the full view around the boats - the only photos I have seen only show the small Iranian boats.

This photo could have been taken from the larger patrol boat you suggest:

[New Perspective]

Thank you for your service. I was in the USCG and stationed on a patrol boat during the 80's and did many training ops with you folks including pulling a few water soaked guys who missed an island at night from their HALO jumps.

I agree with your 100%, something is very fishy about this and if I was on one of those boats I would of been ready to die in a fire fight. I thought our vessels were sovereign US soil, apparently that has changed. And what has happened to name, rank, serial number, and date of birth only? They seem to be engaging in a nice smiley dialog.

[mountn man]

Bullshiite this was a humiliation of Obama.

This was a set up, pure and simple.

Going from Kuwait to Bahrain will not take them anywhere near Iranian waters. Straight line, the nearest point of Irans waters is about 20 miles away So they didn't just accidentally drift 1 mile in.

Both boats would have GPS navigational equipment. BOTH didn't malfunction.
Even if GPS went down, Kuwait to Bahrain is a straight line. Simple compass readings could have set a course.

One having a mechanical failure is a chance.Both having a failure is a plan.

This wasn't a SPECOP mission, as there are no female SPECOP operators in the navy.

This was pure and simple a set up.

[mountn man]

SERIOUSLY???

Think about what you're saying.

[mountn man]

The Harry S Truman is in the Persian Gulf.

Nobody's going to tell me the Truman didn't know what and where Iran had in the water.
Airborne F-18's could have been on site in 10 minutes.

[Bigg Red]

...a small vignette of American power humbled by anti-colonial, 3rd world community activists.

&&&
You know it. He probably has plastered on his wall right now a poster-sized photo of the sailors kneeling.

[freeandfreezing]

They were overtaken in international waters by Iranian patrol boats

This link from what appears to be an Iranian source has a video which shows much more of the surroundings. It does not show a full panorama, and is being filmed from an Iranian boat, so that boat could be heavily armed. But if so it is still a small boat, given the totality of what you can see in the video.

I'll defer to your expertise, you may be able to determine more about the situation based on your knowledge of boat motions, sizes, etc.

[Bigg Red]

Do you think that Obama and Kerry were in on the whole set-up?

[Big Horn]

his whole thing smells to me. Two vessels broke down at once? Unsupported, they are allowed to drift into Iranian waters?

Treason?

Sabotage?

Incompetence squared?

A probe?

Wag the dog?

Somali pirates would have been more formidable.

The smell of rat is heavy around this whole incident.
Very fishy.

[freeandfreezing]

Correct, and one more reason this whole episode seems implausible. The crew of the Harry S Truman has very sophisticated radar systems, along with air based surveillance in order to protect the ship. Hard to imagine any significant Iranian boats were anywhere nearby without the crew on the Truman knowing exactly where and what they were.

The island in question is far enough from the Iranian mainland that US air resources could have easily been dispatched. One of our more experienced Freepers has suggested that a heavily armed patrol boat must have intercepted the US boats, but whatever arms it might have had wouldn't have meant much against an F/A-18.

[Big Horn]

Article I: I am an American, fighting in the armed forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

Article II: I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

Article III: If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

Article IV: If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

Article V: When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service, number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

Article VI: I will never forget that I am an American, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America. Great post,

[I got the rope]

bttt

[Psalm 144]

That is what I am inclined to think as well. It would also mean our military is as politically compromised as the alphabet agencies who brought us Ruby Ridge, Waco, Filegate and Bunkersville. This incident does not add up and is very unsettling.

[Psalm 144]

I’ll buy that, but why wouldn’t there have been resistance? If we’ve reached the point where US forces surrender when presented with more numbers or bigger guns as the first option, we are toast. If they were ordered to surrender, then that suggests theater and treachery from quislings at high levels.

[PGR88]

This whole thing doesn’t meet the smell test.

I agree. Think about it. You are a ships captain, and you are in the Persian Gulf, but have strict (political) orders not to engage or antagonize any foreign combatants. So your heavily armed boats come across some Iranian bass-fishing boats - what do the sailors do? They surrender.

It all starts at the top.