Iranian state TV has released new images of the US Navy sailors detained last month — including one who is seen in tears.
The latest images and video, which were disseminated Wednesday, follow a series of photos that showed the service members held at gunpoint with their hands on their heads on a ship.
The video, which aired on the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, appears to have been shot after Iran captured the 10 sailors on Jan. 12 when they drifted into Iranian waters in two US patrol boats, the Washington Post reported.
The sailors were released the following day, bringing to a swift end an incident that rattled nerves right before the expected implementation of a nuclear accord with world powers.
US military officials said after the incident that members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard removed SIM cards and other technology from the sailors.
The Obama administration had praised Iran for the way it treated the captives — but the latest images suggest that the experience was still traumatic.
Hossein Salami, a senior Revolutionary Guard commander, said last month that the sailors had “started crying” after being held — though they had been treated with “kindness,” the paper reported.
One of the sailors had praised the Iranian forces on the country’s state TV.
“The Iranian behavior was fantastic while we were here,” the unnamed crew member said. “We thank you very much for your hospitality and your assistance.”