U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Rescue Iranian, Indian Mariners in Arabian Gulf Amidst Multi-national Military, Bomber Exercises
Although the vessel was identified as Iranian, it was flying a Qatari flag, which is customary when navigating territorial waters.
ARABIAN GULF - U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has reported the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard rescued Iranian and Indian mariners from a sinking commercial Iranian vessel flying a Qatari flag in the Arabian Gulf after the USS Devastator (MCM 6) and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Clarence Sutphin Jr (WPC 1147) responded to a distress call in the Arabian Gulf from the M/V (Merchant Vessel) Shayesteh.
According to the statement, “The five Iranian and two Indian mariners are safely onboard USCGC CLARENCE SUTPHIN JR and are receiving follow on medical care."
The U.S. Central Command's statement did not specify the exact number of Iranians and Indians rescued, and our research efforts were unable to uncover these details. The Iranian Shayesteh vessel has since sunk.
Although the vessel was identified as Iranian, it was flying a Qatari flag, which is customary when navigating territorial waters. This detail was noted in the statement issued by U.S. Central Command. Such practices are often due to regional agreements or regulatory requirements in specific territorial waters.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) also conducted a Bomber Task Force Mission in the Middle East, Feb. 17, to demonstrate force projection capabilities in the region, and U.S. and Jordanian divers performed a surface supplied dive in Aqaba, Jordan during International Maritime Exercise 2025.