US Central Command on Thursday said it had rescued two civilian Iranian mariners who were in crisis last week.
"Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group rescued two civilian Iranian mariners in international waters," it reported about the incident on August 23.
The two were found in the water when a US inflatable boat and helicopter took them in from the water.
They were taken to the USS Theodore Roosevelt to receive medical care, as well as food and water.
"Our Navy sailors and aircrew responded swiftly and professionally, showcasing their world-class training," Admiral Christopher Alexander, who is commander of Carrier Strike Group 9, said in the statement.
Centcom released images of the rescue, including one Iranian who was escorted on to the US ship.
The people were not identified by the US. Iran has not publicly commented on the incident.
The rescue comes at a time of rising tension between the US and Iran over the last year as Washington defends Israel during its war in Gaza.
The Pentagon has recently sent several ships to the Middle East to fend off an Iranian attack after the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. It is widely believed that Israel was behind the attack but it has not officially claimed it.
US troops have also been trying to fend off threats by Iranian-backed proxy groups in the Middle East, including militant strikes on US troops in Iraq and Syria, as well as Houthi rebels in Yemen firing on ships in the Red Sea.
“Aiding distressed mariners is a mission that our strike group will always stand ready to support," Admiral Alexander said.
"It is the right thing to do, and further demonstrates that the US Navy is a force ready when called upon."
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Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
