US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Thursday recalled and criticized Iran’s detention of American sailors in the Gulf earlier this year, claiming that it is inconsistent with international law.

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Thursday recalled and criticized Iran's detention of American sailors in the Gulf earlier this year, claiming that it is inconsistent with international law.

Iran held 10 US sailors for less than 24 hours in January after intercepting them in Iranian territorial waters off Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf when their two attack boats veered off course.