(S) OMAN TO FACILITATE TRANSFER OF IRANIAN SMUGGLERS

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000079 STATE FOR NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019-01-28 TAGS: PREL MOPS IR MU KCRM PHSA SUBJECT: (S) OMAN TO FACILITATE TRANSFER OF IRANIAN SMUGGLERS CLASSIFIED BY: Gary A. Grappo, Ambassador, Department of State, U.S. Embassy Muscat; REASON: 1.4(A),(B),(D) ¶1. (S/REL USA AND CMFC) Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Yusef bin Alawi, told the Ambassador January 28 that Oman would facilitate the repatriation of Iranian smugglers rescued in the Persian Gulf by the USS Ramage. The transfer is being coordinated between appropriate Embassy elements and their Omani counterparts and will take place in the coming days. ¶2. (S/REL USA AND CMFC) Background: Seven Iranian nationals were rescued from their vessel, the Yarosay, on January 21 by the USS Ramage. The Yarosay departed Bandar Imam, Iran on January 15 and was reported leaving the Makran coast on January 18. The boat was taking on water and had a damaged rudder when sailors from the USS Ramage located and boarded the vessel in international waters. 2500 lbs of hashish were found behind a fake bulkhead on the Yarosay; samples were taken and the remainder went down with the Yarosay. GRAPPO To view the entire SMART message, go to URL http://repository.state.sgov.gov/_layouts/OSS SearchResults.aspx?k=messageid:3565f6b3-1a7f- 4f6b-8a98-977c93a6f125