Saudi TV Claims Iran Captured US Ship with 34 Americans Onboard, Pentagon Denies

[BarryDonegan]

http://benswann.com/saudi-tv-claims-iran-captured-us-ship-with-34-americans-onboard-pentagon-denies/

The Saudi-owned TV news network Al-Arabiya reported this morning that Iran had captured a US ship and detained 34 Americans found onboard, a claim that was later denied by Pentagon officials representing the United States, who clarified that it was a Marshall Islands ship with no Americans onboard.

[wizardwatson]

http://benswann.com/saudi-tv-claims-iran-captured-us-ship-with-34-americans-onboard-pentagon-denies/

The Saudi-owned TV news network Al-Arabiya reported this morning that Iran had captured a US ship and detained 34 Americans found onboard, a claim that was later denied by Pentagon officials representing the United States, who clarified that it was a Marshall Islands ship with no Americans onboard.

"HQ, this is Marhall Islands, we've got Iranian military inbound, please advise."

"Sorry Marshall Islands, we've got a burn notice on you, you're on your own."

[69360]

Probably not true, but you never know. The North Koreans caught one in the 60's.

[Zippyjuan]

More details: http://shippingwatch.com/carriers/Container/article7662772.ece

Straight of Hormuz is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. File photo of the ship:

http://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1435965/mv-maersk-mc-kinney-moller.jpg?w=736
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/iran-seizes-us-cargo-ship-gulf-mv-maersk-had-no-americans-board-marshall-island-flagged-vessel-1498773


Iran detains cargo vessel Maersk Tigris
CONTAINER: Iran has detained freight vessel Maersk Tigris, which has allegedly entered Iranian waters. Iranian forces have boarded the vessel, says a Pentagon spokesman according to Ritzau. Reports indicate the the forces have opened fire on the vessel.

Iranian forces have boarded a Maersk-owned vessel, says Pentagon spokesman Steve Warren according to Reuters.

The forces have allegedly also opened fire on the vessel.

The ship MV Maersk Tigris is currently on charter with Rickmers Shanghai, who is thus responsible for the vessel, Maersk tells Danish news media DR Nyheder.

Warning shots

Iranian patrol vessels fired warning shots and ordered the ship to sail further into Iranian waters when the ship was passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

At first, Maersk Tigris ignored the order, but then the vessel obeyed the order after the warning shots were fired.

US security forces in the region responded to distress signals from the cargo ship, and destroyer USS Faragut has been dispatched to the region to monitor the situation along with surveillance planes, adds Warren.

Maersk Tigris reportedly ran into trouble when the Iranian authorities deemed that the vessel was violating territorial borders. The ship was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessel, which sails under the Marshall Islands flag, is not carrying any Americans on board, says the Pentagon spokesman, thus rejecting information from Arabian news network al-Arabiya which stated that the ship was carrying 34 US seafarers on board.

Various news agencies report difficulties getting information from the Iranian authorities. According to Reuters, Iran has in the past threatened to block the strait in retaliation against international sanctions.

[asurfaholic]

Hm I don't believe anything the govt says because agency heads can knowingly lie under oath and not face any trouble, wide gaping holes in official stories, blatant cover up and secrecy all around. All this has spoiled my trust in the government.

With that out in the open, I sincerely hope the Americans who were aboard the vessel are safe and can return home soon. :(

[cindy25]

it would be highly unlikely for ANY merchant ship to fly under a USA flag because of tax and regulatory regions. most are Liberia, Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands

it would be highly unlikely for ANY merchant ship to have a USA seaman. merchant ships pay $300-$500 a month, so most crews are Filipino, Indian, Sri Lankan. the captain might be Danish or from whatever country really owns the ship

[TheCount]

it would be highly unlikely for ANY merchant ship to fly under a USA flag because of tax and regulatory regions. most are Liberia, Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands

it would be highly unlikely for ANY merchant ship to have a USA seaman. merchant ships pay $300-$500 a month, so most crews are Filipino, Indian, Sri Lankan. the captain might be Danish or from whatever country really owns the ship

I agree, but there seems to be conflicting information. It looks to me like two different ships are involved. Check this terrible CNN reporting: http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/28/politics/iran-seizes-commercial-ship-u-s-official-says-no-americans-on-board/



The episode came ahead of an encounter Tuesday in which Iran Revolutionary Guard patrol boats fired shots at a commercial cargo ship and then intercepted the vessel, the Marshall Islands-flagged M/V Maersk Tigris, which was also crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

Then it goes straight to this with no transition:


A senior U.S. military official told CNN that "the Iranians encircled the Kensington and followed the ship on its course for a period of time before withdrawing and breaking away." After that, the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet issued a notice to mariners about the incident.


There is another Maersk ship, which is US flagged, named the Kensington: http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/details/ships/shipid:192644/mmsi:303657000/imo:9333010/vessel:MAERSK_KENSINGTON Maybe that's what they're talking about? Last reported position is in the Arabian sea.