Iran hails U.S. rescue as 'humanitarian gesture' IRAN

In this Jan. 5, 2012 handout photo released by the US Navy, a US sailor assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd's (DDG 100) visit, board, search and seizure team greets a crew member of the Iranian-flagged fishing dhow Al Molai. U.S. military officials say the Navy has rescued an Iranian fishing boat that had been commandeered by suspected Somali pirates. The rescue Thursday comes amid escalating threats from Iran that it could block the Strait of Hormuz in response to stronger economic sanctions against Tehran over its disputed nuclear enrichment program.(AP Photo/ U.S. Navy) less In this Jan. 5, 2012 handout photo released by the US Navy, a US sailor assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd's (DDG 100) visit, board, search and seizure team greets a crew member of the ... more Photo: Associated Press Photo: Associated Press Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Iran hails U.S. rescue as 'humanitarian gesture' 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Tehran -- Iran's government on Saturday welcomed the U.S. Navy's rescue of 13 Iranian fishermen held by pirates, calling it a positive humanitarian gesture.

U.S. officials announced that the fishermen had been rescued by a U.S. Navy destroyer on Thursday, more than 40 days after their boat was commandeered by suspected Somali pirates in the northern Arabian Sea. The rescue came just days after Tehran warned the United States to keep the same group of warships out of the Persian Gulf in a reflection of Iran's fear that American warships could try to enforce an embargo against Iranian oil exports.

"The rescue of Iranian sailors by American forces is considered a humanitarian gesture and we welcome this behavior," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast was quoted as saying by state TV's Al-Alam Arabic channel.

Iran's hard-line Fars news agency had a different take, calling the rescue operation a Hollywood dramatization of a routine event.

The Fars report noted that attacks by Somali pirates in the region are common and said that Iran's navy has itself freed many mariners held by pirates in recent years without seeking to highly publicize it.

Amid escalating tension with Iran over its nuclear program, the Obama administration celebrated Friday's announcement and highlighted the fact that the rescuing ships were the same ones Iran's army chief had said were not welcome in the Persian Gulf.

"Basically, rescuing trading and fishing boats from the hands of pirates in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden is considered a completely normal issue," Fars said. "A U.S. helicopter filming the rescue operation from the first minute makes it look like a Hollywood drama with specific locations and actors. It shows the Americans tried to publicize it through the media and present the American warship as a savior."

The episode occurred after a week of tough talk from Iranian leaders, including the statement that American vessels were no longer welcome in the Gulf. Iran also warned it could block the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which a sixth of the world's oil flows to market.

The Iranian threats, which were brushed aside by the Obama administration, were in response to strong economic sanctions against Iran over its disputed nuclear enrichment program.