Report: Iranian navy detains UAE fishermen

AP: Iran’s state TV says the country’s navy has detained 13 fishermen from two United Arab Emirates vessels after they trespassed into what the report said were Iranian territorial waters. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s state TV says the country’s navy has detained 13 fishermen from two United Arab Emirates vessels after they trespassed into what the report said were Iranian territorial waters.

The Thursday report by Iran’s English-language Press TV quotes Col. Ali Vesali, base commander on Abu Musa Island, as saying 12 of the fishermen were Emirati and one was Indian.

He said Iranian forces seized the fishermen’s two vessels as well. The report did not say when the arrests took place, or give an exact location.

Iran has controlled Abu Musa Island in the mouth of the Persian Gulf since 1971. The UAE disputes Iran’s ownership.

Iran and its Arab neighbors in the Persian Gulf periodically detain each other’s fishing vessels for having allegedly entered into their territorial waters.