US Navy Rescues Sole Iranian Survivor From Capsized Vessel, 3 Bodies Found

On Sunday, the United States Navy rescued a lone survivor from an Iranian cargo vessel that sank in the Persian Gulf. At least three other crew members have been reported dead. Although there are rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, this is the latest in a recent string of rescues in 2012 already.

The USS Firebolt, a coastal patrol boat, and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Maui launched a search and rescue mission for any survivors of the capsized Iranian dhow. The Firebolt’s crew also confirmed the discovery of the three remains of those that perished during the sinking.

The solo survivor was rescued and treated for hypothermia and shock. He reported that the vessel he was on sunk in inclement weather with six of them onboard. He said four of his crewmates died, and one was missing. He has been transferred to an Iranian Coast Guard vessel from Maui.

U.S. ships initiated a search for the possible survivor and the last body, bringing in two Seahawk helicopters and the USS Pearl Harbor, a dock landing ship. The search ended due to bad weather with no success.

According to CNN, in January, U.S. sailors from a carrier strike group rescued 13 Iranian sailors from a hijacked fishing boat, and the U.S. Coast Guard rescued six Iranian mariners from a flooded vessel at the northern end of the Gulf.