Iranian: US sailors’ capture shows us stronger than US in the Gulf

“This is a sign of our might,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said after the release of 10 US sailors captured Tuesday in Persian Gulf waters. Araqshi was one of the architects of the nuclear accord and is often praised by US Secretary of State John Kerry. Chairman of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi sent a letter to Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi commending the action as “brave” and signifying Iran’s control of Persian Gulf security.

DEBKAfile: In all US administration references to the episode, there is no mention of the Revolutionary Guards as having seized the two US patrol boats – only the Iranian Navy.