U.S. Cashiers Commander of Boats Seized by Iran

The Navy has canned the officer in charge of the unit whose two small boats and 10 sailors were seized by Iran in January, marking the service's first public disciplinary action in an international fracas that threatened the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal.

The Navy Expeditionary Combat Command removed Commander Eric Rasch for a "loss of confidence" in his ability to command, according to a Navy statement cited by the Navy Times.

At the time of the Jan. 12 seizure, Rasch was serving as the No.