On January 12th, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized two U.S. naval patrol boats with ten sailors aboard. They photographed the sailors on their knees with their hands over their heads, and got as much propaganda value from the incident as possible before releasing them the following day.

This humiliation of America didn't quite satisfy the Mullahs. "We have extracted extensive information from their (American sailors') laptops and cell phones," said Commander of the IRGC Navy Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi in a parliamentary session in Tehran on Monday (see below).

He went on to say the information could be made public if a decision were made to that effect, and that the IRGC had filmed the capture of the sailors for several hours, the release of which would bring humiliation to the United States.

The entire incident has been shrouded in secrecy by the Obama administration, and has left many unanswered and disturbing questions. Obama et al were determined to implement the Iran nuclear deal AT ANY COST, and the Iranians knew that.

The sailors were released the following day, and as scheduled the Iran agreement went into effect with the US releasing some $100 billion plus in Iranian assets, and having the oil and financial sanctions against Iran lifted.

So besides humiliating the U.S., what other purpose was served by seizing and detaining U.S. boats and sailors?

Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: The IRGC showed Iranians, the US and everyone else in the region who exactly is in charge.