The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Donald Trump called for the release of 10 US sailors who were detained in Iran - hours after they had already been released.
The sailors were allowed to leave Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf at 8.43am GMT - 3.43am Eastern Time - and were returned to US custody.
They had been held overnight for ‘trespassing’ in Iranian territory, shaking nerves in the few days leading up to a deal on nuclear between the US and Tehran.
The US Department of Defense released a statement this morning at 6.30am GMT to say that the sailors had been released and were not harmed.
However Donald Trump, believing they were still being held in foreign waters, posted this tweet around 7am Eastern Time:
According to Business Insider, Mr Trump said on Tuesday that the Iranians “like to taunt us because they don’t have respect for our leaders”.
Donald Trump's most controversial quotes
Show all 14
Mr Trump said he would be “much tougher” than President Obama on US treatment of Iran, which has so far involved working together to curtail Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies