"Twenty-one mariners from the M/V Kokuka Courageous, who abandoned ship,
were rescued and are currently aboard USS Bainbridge.

USS Bainbridge remains in close contact with the M/V Kokuka Courageous and
is the on-scene U.S. command authority.  No interference with USS
Bainbridge, or its mission, will be tolerated.  

USS Mason (DDG 87) is en route to the scene to provide assistance.

The U.S. and our partners in the region will take all necessary measures to
defend ourselves and our interests.  Today's attacks are a clear threat to
international freedom of navigation and freedom of commerce.  The U.S. and
the international community stand ready to defend our interests, including
freedom of navigation. This is a threat to maritime shipping and
international commerce. 

The U.S. and our regional partners are assisting in the response to attacks
in the Gulf of Oman.  The U.S. and the international community, stand ready
to defend our interests, including freedom of navigation.

We have no interest in engaging in a new conflict in the Middle East.  We
will defend our interests, but a war with Iran is not in our strategic
interest, nor in the best interest of the international community." 

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"U.S. Naval Forces in the region received two separate distress calls at 6:12 a.m. local time and a second one at 7:00 a.m.

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command received the calls from the M/V Front Altair and M/V Kokuka Courageous, who were operating in international waters of the Gulf of Oman.

USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) was operating in the vicinity and provided immediate assistance to the M/V Kokuka Courageous.

Twenty-one mariners from the M/V Kokuka Courageous, who abandoned ship, are currently aboard USS Bainbridge. A Navy P-8 is also providing support."

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