The U.S. Navy says one of its vessels in the Persian Gulf has rescued a crew of Iranian sailors from a burning boat.

The rescue happened on August 8 when the destroyer “USS James E. Williams” saw an Iranian-flagged boat on fire.

Eight of the crew were identified as Iranian nationals, the other two were Pakistanis.

Spokesman for the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet Lieutenant Greg Raelson said the crew of the Iranian boat were taken aboard the U.S. vessel and given medical treatment.

They will be transferred to the aircraft carrier “U.S.S. Enterprise” and will be repatriated from there.

It was at least the seventh time in the last two years that a U.S. Navy vessel has rescued Iranian sailors in trouble.

Based on reporting by AP and CBS News
By RFE/RL