Iran taunts America with re-enactment of January arrest of 10 US sailors

Iran taunted the US on a parade marking the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, staging a re-enactment of the arrest of 10 US sailors who strayed into Iranian waters in January 2016.

Pictures from a parade in the city of Qom show people posing as the sailors wearing yellow chains, Iran Wire reported. In Tehran there was a float with 'sailors' on their knees with their hands on their heads recreating pictures distributed by Iranian state media showing the arrest of the soldiers on January 12.

The sailors were taken into custody after two small US vessels strayed into Iranian waters, attempting to travel from Bahrain to Kuwait. The issue was resolved within 24 hours through diplomatic channels and the sailors released. Iran though has used the incident to whip up anti-US sentiment and boast of its military prowess, publishing a video showing US soldiers apologising and weeping in captivity. US authorities thanked Iran for its treatment of the soldiers after their release.

"I'm appreciative for the quick and appropriate response of the Iranian authorities," US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Jan 13. "All indications suggest or tell us that our sailors were well taken care of, provided with blankets and food and assisted with their return to the fleet earlier today."

Republican candidates have criticised the US government's response. After Iran released pictures of the sailors being arrested, Kerry expressed his "disgust", and said he had raised the issue with Iranian Foreign Secretary Javad Zarif.

Parades were held throughout Iran to mark the 37th anniversary of the ousting of the US-backed shah by Islamists.