Iranian state television released video Wednesday that showed a U.S. sailor apologizing, apparently for encroaching on Iranian territory when two U.S. Navy boats were seized Tuesday in the Persian Gulf.
“It was a mistake, that was our fault, and we apologize,” a U.S. sailor says in the video, although it is unclear what he was apologizing for.
A questioner then asks if the sailors had “penetrated territorial water.” The sailor answers, “I believe so.”
In a second video, the sailors appear to go so far as compliment their captors. It is unclear if their statements were in any way coerced or a precondition of release.
Video: One of #US sailors says Iranians behavior with them was "fantastic" & they had no problem. #Iran pic.twitter.com/vgVlrkzdvh— Abas Aslani (@abasinfo) January 13, 2016
“The Iranian behavior was fantastic while we were here, and we thank you very much for your hospitality and your assistance,” the same sailor says.
The 10 sailors and two boats were released back to the United States Wednesday. The State Department insists no apologies were made to Iran by the U.S. government.
