The sailors were found just about 1,000 yards (1 kilometer) outside Iranian territorial waters at 5 a.m. local time and were provided food and water. The U.S. Navy contacted Iranian authorities via neighboring Oman.
The mariners said their fishing boat had sunk the night before and they did not know about the whereabouts of the other crewmembers.
An Iranian Coast Guard ship showed up just past noon, took the two men aboard and thanked the U.S. Navy for its help, said the statement.
“We’re glad that we were able to coordinate the rescue of the mariners with the Iranian Coast Guard,” said Lt. Cmdr. Steve Ansuinni of the Fifth Fleet in the statement.
In August, an aircraft carrier from the fleet rescued eight Iranian fisherman after their boat caught fire in the nearby Arabian sea.
