Ten American sailors were taken into Iranian custody on Tuesday after two small US Navy ships were detained in the Persian Gulf.
A US Defense Department official told The Independent that the ships went missing for some time.
"Earlier today, we lost contact with two small US naval craft en route from Kuwait to Bahrain," the official said.
"We subsequently have been in communication with Iranian authorities, who have informed us of the safety and well-being of our personnel."
The official added that: "We have received assurances the ten sailors will promptly be allowed to continue their journey."
The Fars News Agency in Iran said that the boats illegally entered Iranian waters and the US sailors were “arrested.”
Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Navy confiscated GPS equipment and accused the servicemen of “snooping.”
White House officials are aware of the situation and is working to get the sailors returned home safely.
Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes told reporters that the administraiton is optimistic about the situation, Reuters reports.
The incident comes just hours before President Barack Obama is scheduled to address the nation in his eighth and final State of the Union Address.
More to follow...
