Iran has described the rescue of Iranian fisherman by United States forces in the Arabian Sea as a humanitarian act.
The US navy freed the 13 Iranians from pirates who had hijacked their fishing vessel.
15 suspected pirates were detained and are being held by the US Navy.
The Iranians are now on their way home.
The announcement of their rescue comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries over Iran's nuclear programme.
Iran launched a military manoeuvre near its border with Afghanistan today, days after naval exercises in the Gulf increased tensions with the West and pushed up oil prices.
However, Iran said the US navy's rescue was a positive act and said that all nations should act in the same way.
