[Molon Labe]

US denies sea clash - ‘Iranians rescued’
KUWAIT CITY, March 6: The US Navy has denied reports that its forces fired on a boat with six Iranians onboard near Kuwaiti territorial waters on March 5, killing four, wounding one and leaving one mariner unaccounted.

The article, dated March 6 in the Arab Times, that reported the incident from an unnamed source in Al-Shahed newspaper, is unequivocally false and unfounded, according to Lt Rebecca Rebarich, Media Officer for COMUSNAVCENT, US Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain.

“The article inaccurately depicts the search and rescue mission conducted by the US Navy from March 3-4, involving the US Navy Coastal patrol boat USS Firebolt (PC10) and US Coast Guard Cutter Maui (WPB 1304) which rescued an Iranian mariner from the capsized Iranian cargo dhow Abu Al Fazel in the north Arabian Gulf who was treated for shock and hypothermia. Through Firebolt’s civilian translator, the surviving mariner relayed that at approximately 11 pm on March 2, the dhow sank due to bad weather conditions with six mariners aboard. He also confirmed that four died and one was missing. Firebolt recovered the remains of three deceased Iranian mariners in and around the lifeboat and searched for the two missing crew members with other US Navy and Coast Guard forces,” Rebarich added.

“We have confirmed with the Kuwaiti Coast Guard that there is no report of any maritime engagements or mariners in distress resembling the Arab Times article, and their operations remain normal and routine. The US Navy conducts operations in international water and space through the US Central Command area of responsibility,” Rebarich clarified.

First reports are often unreliable...