Putting Aside Politics

         Exactly one year ago yesterday American sailors rescued an Iranian fishermen's ship that was held captive by Somali pirates. A photograph of this event was one of six pictures featured in the New York Times: Summing Up a Year in Pictures.
     
         "Senior Iranian military officials this week bluntly warned an American aircraft
          carrier that it would confront the 'full force' of the Iranian military if it tried to
          re-enter the Persian Gulf."

American sailors with captured Somali pirates (the picture
from Summing up a Year in Pictures).

         "ABOARD THE FISHING VESSEL AL MULAHI, in the Gulf of Oman-" after being captive for about 45 days, Captain Mahmed Younes and his 12 fishermen were freed by the American Navy from Somali pirates. Seeing the Al Mulahi flying an Iranian flag, the Navy sailors were hesitant, knowing the current American relationship with Iran as unstable as well as being very aware the threats from the Iranian military. However, our strict embargo against Iran did not stop the Navy from helping Iranian citizens who were in danger. In desperation they asked Americans for help over radio, speaking in Urdu which the pirates did not understand. The Iranian government was not there to help, but an American ship was only three miles away. Our relationship with Iran is tense because of Iran's growing nuclear program and our view of Iran being anti-Israel. Our American Navy turned a blind eye to the embargo when it came to helping those in danger. The U.S. sailors went ahead and put people's lives ahead of politics. The event drew a "lukewarm" response from Iranian officials, while the Iranian sailors were quick to thank the Navy sailors. At first I wondered if events such as this might influence change in our relations with Iran. Clearly, while it is disappointing that it did not, it is not surprising. In the eyes of the Iranian government, it's only the lives of a few sailors. It is nice to know though that at the end of the day, our Navy showed their true colors as true humanitarians. The following New York Times article poses a play-by-play of the whole event.