Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    January 06, 2012

US Rescues Iranians Held Hostage by Pirates

   VOA News
   The guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd responds to a distress call from
   the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel Al Molai, which was being held
   captive by pirates in the Arabian Sea, January 5, 2012.
   Photo: AP
   The guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd responds to a distress call from
   the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel Al Molai, which was being held
   captive by pirates in the Arabian Sea, January 5, 2012.

   A U.S. navy ship has rescued 13 Iranians being held hostage by pirates
   in the Arabian Sea.
   The U.S. Navy announced Friday that it encountered the pirates' skiff
   and the Iranian fishing vessel, the Al Molai, on Thursday after
   receiving a distress call from the Iranian vessel. In a statement, the
   navy said a team of military personnel from the destroyer USS Kidd
   boarded the Iranian vessel, or dhow, and detained 15 pirates who were
   holding the Iranians hostage.
   The statement said the Iranian vessel had been under the control of the
   pirates for more than a month and was being used as a headquarters for
   pirate operations. It said the hostages are believed to have been
   forced to help with piracies.
   The Navy said the Iranians were given food and medical care before
   being released, and are now on their way home.
   The pirates - believed to be Somalis - are in detention at sea on a
   U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS John C. Stennis.
   Iran recently has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz in the
   Persian Gulf, and warned the U.S. not to operate aircraft carriers in
   the area, something it routinely does. U.S. officials have made clear
   that operations will continue as usual in the Gulf.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
   Join the conversation on our social journalism site - [1]Middle East
   Voices. Follow our Middle East reports on [2]Twitter and discuss them
   on our [3]Facebook page.

References

   1. http://middleeastvoices.com/
   2. http://twitter.com/VOAMiddleEast
   3. http://www.facebook.com/pages/VOAMiddleEastVoices/124360240958667?%20%20%20%20v=wall

.