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23/06/2004
Iran set to release captive British sailors today
The eight British sailors being held by Iranian authorities are expected to be released later today.
According to Reuters reports, Iran's foreign minister Kamal Kharrazi told the state-run IRNA news agency that the men would be released today.
The eight Royal Navy personnel – six Marines and two sailors – were arrested on Monday after apparently straying into Iranian waters along the Shatt Al Arab waterway.
The men, who belong to the Royal Navy Training Team (RNTT), based in southern Iraq, were in the process of delivering a boat from Umm Qasr to Basrah when they were arrested.
The group were travelling in two Boston Whalers – a type of small motorboat – and one British Army combat support boat. The MoD confirmed the boats were unarmed but that the crews were carrying their personal weapons.
Iranian authorities paraded the men before television cameras yesterday. Whilst they appeared to be unharmed, concerns were raised over their treatment when images of the group in blindfolds were broadcast. Footage of one sailor apologising for their supposed transgressions was also aired.
The Shatt Al Arab waterway which divides Iraq and Iran territory has long been a cause for tension; precisely what portion of the waterway lies within Iranian control – the river's mid-point or as far as the bank on the Iraqi side – remains unclear. The shifting delineation of the Shatt Al Arab deep-channel frontier was one of myriad issues underpinning the start of Iran-Iraq war in 1980.
The Iranian broadcaster, Al Alam, reported that the Royal Navy personnel had strayed around 1,000 metres across the "marine border" when they were detained by a Revolutionary Guards patrol.
(gmcg)
According to Reuters reports, Iran's foreign minister Kamal Kharrazi told the state-run IRNA news agency that the men would be released today.
The eight Royal Navy personnel – six Marines and two sailors – were arrested on Monday after apparently straying into Iranian waters along the Shatt Al Arab waterway.
The men, who belong to the Royal Navy Training Team (RNTT), based in southern Iraq, were in the process of delivering a boat from Umm Qasr to Basrah when they were arrested.
The group were travelling in two Boston Whalers – a type of small motorboat – and one British Army combat support boat. The MoD confirmed the boats were unarmed but that the crews were carrying their personal weapons.
Iranian authorities paraded the men before television cameras yesterday. Whilst they appeared to be unharmed, concerns were raised over their treatment when images of the group in blindfolds were broadcast. Footage of one sailor apologising for their supposed transgressions was also aired.
The Shatt Al Arab waterway which divides Iraq and Iran territory has long been a cause for tension; precisely what portion of the waterway lies within Iranian control – the river's mid-point or as far as the bank on the Iraqi side – remains unclear. The shifting delineation of the Shatt Al Arab deep-channel frontier was one of myriad issues underpinning the start of Iran-Iraq war in 1980.
The Iranian broadcaster, Al Alam, reported that the Royal Navy personnel had strayed around 1,000 metres across the "marine border" when they were detained by a Revolutionary Guards patrol.
(gmcg)
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21 June 2004
Three British navy boats seized by Iran, reports claim
Three British navy vessels, manned by eight sailors, have been seized by Iran after entering its territorial waters, it has been reported today. An Iranian military source, quoted by Reuters, said that the boats were held and the sailors arrested after an incident in the Shatt Al Arab channel which divides Iraq and Iran.
Three British navy boats seized by Iran, reports claim
Three British navy vessels, manned by eight sailors, have been seized by Iran after entering its territorial waters, it has been reported today. An Iranian military source, quoted by Reuters, said that the boats were held and the sailors arrested after an incident in the Shatt Al Arab channel which divides Iraq and Iran.
02 December 2009
British Sailors Freed By Iran
Five British yachtsmen detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard for a week have been released, the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office has confirmed. The crew were held in the Gulf after their yacht, Kingdom of Bahrain, mistakenly strayed into Iranian waters while sailing from Bahrain to Dubai for a race.
British Sailors Freed By Iran
Five British yachtsmen detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard for a week have been released, the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office has confirmed. The crew were held in the Gulf after their yacht, Kingdom of Bahrain, mistakenly strayed into Iranian waters while sailing from Bahrain to Dubai for a race.
22 June 2004
Detained UK sailors will be prosecuted by Iranians, reports claim
The eight Royal Navy personnel who were arrested yesterday after apparently straying into Iranian waters will be prosecuted, it has been reported today. The Iranian broadcaster, Al Alam, has reported that the Navy personnel strayed around 1,000 metres across the "marine border" when they were detained by a Revolutionary Guards patrol.
Detained UK sailors will be prosecuted by Iranians, reports claim
The eight Royal Navy personnel who were arrested yesterday after apparently straying into Iranian waters will be prosecuted, it has been reported today. The Iranian broadcaster, Al Alam, has reported that the Navy personnel strayed around 1,000 metres across the "marine border" when they were detained by a Revolutionary Guards patrol.
28 August 2008
18 Royal Navy Sailors Test Positive For Cocaine
Eighteen Royal Navy sailors have tested positive for cocaine, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reported. The crewmen tested positive for the class A drug during routine testing onboard HMS Liverpool, which is currently deployed in the South Atlantic. The drug find is believed to be the biggest in the Navy's history.
18 Royal Navy Sailors Test Positive For Cocaine
Eighteen Royal Navy sailors have tested positive for cocaine, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reported. The crewmen tested positive for the class A drug during routine testing onboard HMS Liverpool, which is currently deployed in the South Atlantic. The drug find is believed to be the biggest in the Navy's history.
08 June 2006
Al-Qaeda Iraq chief Al-Zarqawi killed
Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq, has been killed. Zarqawi, who was the most wanted man in Iraq and had a £25 million bounty on his head, was killed during a US air raid in a house just north of Baghdad, where Zarqawi and his associates were meeting.
Al-Qaeda Iraq chief Al-Zarqawi killed
Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq, has been killed. Zarqawi, who was the most wanted man in Iraq and had a £25 million bounty on his head, was killed during a US air raid in a house just north of Baghdad, where Zarqawi and his associates were meeting.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
