I think the routine/admin conditions redeployment of the two boats from Kuwait to Bahrain was known by Iranian intel in advance, based upon spies in our bases, watching ports, etc.
I think these sailors were ambushed mid-route, and it happened very fast. A planned ambush, executed perfectly, based on an understanding of our ROE, which they would know word by word. (Our ROE are only a secret to the American people.)
Our ROE are basically “DO NOT LOAD YOUR GUNS UNTIL YOU HAVE DIRECT ORDERS FROM HIGHER! DO NOT FIRE UNLESS FIRED UPON! CALL FOR INSTRUCTIONS FIRST, NO MATTER WHAT!”
These ROE made our sailors sitting ducks. The Iraninans correctly believed that if they laid in a fast swarming ambush, which would become a Mexican Standoff at point blank in just minutes, they would be able to force a surrender.
Which they did.
Once our boats are under their control, our soldiers held at gunpoint on their knees, the boarding party simply orders the coxswain, at gunpoint, to “Follow that boat, or we will all rape the girl and then cut her head off!” Or whatever.
The coxswain would obey. Once they are in Iranian waters, Iran controls the entire story, and we only see film that Iran wants the world to see.
And Obama and Kerry are so eager for their nuke deal to proceed, that they go along with Iran’s lie.
Just shameful for the USN, to be used like this.
PS: If somebody with honor and integrity in the USN leaked video of radar plots, overhead imagery etc proving that this was an act of Iranian piracy in int’l waters, it could prove damning to Obama and Kerry.
The Bluetails (AEW)E-2D Hawkeye would have seen everything going on and should have been able to warn the patrol boats and coordinate assets. Something failed big time to allow the Iranians to exploit the situation as you indicate. If not than this was purposefully allowed to happen. The whole thing stinks.