In this Nov. 15, 2014, photo, a Riverine Command Boat from Costal Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 2 escorts the USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) in the Persian Gulf. Iran was holding 10 U.S. Navy sailors and their two boats, similar to the one in this picture, on Jan. 12, 2016, after the boats had mechanical problems and drifted into Iranian waters. American officials have received assurances from Tehran that they will be returned safely and promptly. U.S. Navy via AP
WASHINGTON, United States—Ten sailors are on board two US Navy patrol boats that went missing in the Gulf, apparently after straying into Iranian waters, a US defense official said Tuesday.
Asked to confirm reports that 10 US Navy personnel were on board the vessels, the official replied, “Yes.”
He said the boats were in the vicinity of Iran’s Farsi island, situated midway between Iran and the Saudi coast, when they lost contact.
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