Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta prasied U.S. Navy sailors who rescued 13 Iranian fishermen who were being held by pirates.  The captain of the Iranian vessel, Al Molai, was able to send a radio distress signal which was received by the nearby U.S. aircraft carrier John C. Stennis. Upon receiving the radio call  the escorting cruiser Mobile Bay was sent to give assistance.

The Navy said a boarding team  from the destroyer USS Kidd boarded the Al Molai and detained 15 pirates who were holding the Iranians hostage. The pirates didn’t resist and surrendered quickly in the rescue, according to the Navy statement. The fishermen received food and medical care and were then sent home.

“It makes it very clear to them that, despite how much they often try to provoke us, the United States in this kind of situation is going to respond as we should in a very humanitarian and responsible way,” Panetta said regarding the recent threats from the Tehran to shut down oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. There has been no response from the Iranian government.

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According to the state-run news agency IRNA, Maj. Gen. Ataollah Salehi commander of Iran’s Army said “Iran will not repeat its warning … the enemy’s carrier has been moved to the Sea of Oman because of our drill. I recommend and emphasize to the American carrier not to return to the Persian Gulf….we are not in the habit of warning more than once.”

In an e-mailed statement yesterday George Little, a spokesman for the Pentagon said, ”These are regularly scheduled movements in accordance with our longstanding commitments to the security and stability of the region and in support of ongoing operations,” Little said. “The deployment of U.S. military assets in the Persian Gulf region will continue as it has for decades.” He said the U.S. Navy is always vigilant and will work to “ensure the continued, safe flow of maritime traffic in waterways critical to global commerce.”

The latest Iranian threat comes at a time when sanctions are having an impact on its economy, and is facing political uncertainty with an election in March. It will be the first since a 2009 vote which started countrywide demonstrations. The U.S. and Europe have imposed the increased sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran says is peaceful only. Western countries are wary and believe the end result is to build an atomic bomb.

Jay Carney, White House spokesman, said in a CNN report, “I think it reflects the fact that Iran is in a position of weakness. It’s the latest round of Iranian threats, and it’s confirmation that Tehran is under increasing pressure for its continued failures to live up to its international obligation,” he said. “Iran is isolated and is seeking to divert attention from its behavior and domestic problems. This is simply a measure of the impact that sanctions have been having on Iran and the broad international support for… putting pressure on Iran and isolating Iran because of its refusal to live up to its international obligations.”