Iran 'frees US sailors held in Gulf'- state television

US military confirmed the release of its personnel saying no indications sailors were harmed while in custody [File photo: Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters]

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have released 10 US sailors held for entering its territorial waters in the Gulf, state television reported.

They were detained on Tuesday after one of their two vessels broke down during a training mission, the US says.

News of the sailors' release came shortly after the guards said the US had apologised for the incident.

It comes at a sensitive time, as the US and Iran try to implement the deal on Iran's nuclear activities.

Ahead of the release, an Iranian navy commander said that the authorities were satisfied that the US boats taken into custody were in Iranian territory unintentionally.

"Our final finding was that it has not been a hostile crossover meant for espionage or the like," General Ali Fadavi, revolutionary guards navy commander, said.

The foreign ministers of both countries, John Kerry and Mohammad Javad Zarif, had been in constant contact, Iranian media said.

Iran and the US had no diplomatic relations for more than three decades years but tensions have eased after a deal over Iran's nuclear ambitions was inked in July.

Formal implementation of the accord could begin in days, following steps Iran agreed to take to curb its nuclear activities.

Source: DBM Staff