White House Communications Director Jen Psaki said Obama does not plan to address two US Navy boats and ten sailors held by Iran during his State of the Union address this evening.
White House: @POTUS won't mention Navy sailors seized by Iran https://t.co/x3B1iflSsp | AP Photo pic.twitter.com/eNCOX4jafk
— POLITICO (@politico) January 13, 2016
“There are no plans to address this issue,” Psaki told CNN. “He’s tracking this closely, he’s following this closely but the state of the union will not be about this issue.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan urged Obama to “update the American people” on the situation.
US officials confirmed two Riverine boats were tracked in the territorial waters of Iran near Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf after a launch from Kuwait. The Pentagon said a mechanical problem with one of the boats caused them to drift into Iranian territorial waters.
Iran reportedly confiscated GPS equipment from the boats.
Iran media says Revolutionary Guard navy confiscated GPS equipment belonging to 10 US sailors it has arrested, "our border was crossed."
— Thomas Erdbrink (@ThomasErdbrink) January 12, 2016
“We have been in contact with Iran and have received assurances that the crew and the vessels will be returned promptly,” Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told The Associated Press.
Secretary of State John Kerry contacted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif to resolve the situation.
Iran is expected to return the sailors and ships on Wednesday.
It seems this issue has been solved. https://t.co/EgZIxCcvy5
— Iran (@Iran) January 12, 2016
Republicans cited the incident to argue Iran cannot be trusted.
.@GOPLeader: Look at what #Iran has done – and Pres @BarackObama is rewarding them -OTR #greta @FoxNews
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) January 13, 2016
.@Rep_Hunter: Under President @BarackObama — Iran knows they won't suffer any consequences -OTR #greta @FoxNews
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) January 13, 2016
.@marcorubio: “Iran is testing the boundaries of this administration’s resolve.” #SpecialReport pic.twitter.com/EC3ZC1GELX
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 12, 2016
On Wednesday the House will vote on legislation providing Congress with additional oversight on the nuclear agreement previously agreed upon with Iran.
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