Eight sailors handed over to UK embassy in Tehran

The eight British navy personnel being held by Iranian authorities have been released and handed over to UK diplomats in Tehran.

The Foreign Office said that the men flew from the south of the country to Tehran at 8.30am (GMT) and were taken to the British embassy compound in the centre of the capital.

Froeign Secretary Jack Straw said he was "very pleased indeed" that the men had been returned to British care.

The two sailors and six Marines, travelling in three boats, 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.

During their captivity, the men were paraded before television cameras. 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.

Today, Mr Straw thanked his opposite number in Iran, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, for his assistance in securing the release, and said that the eight men were in "very good spirits and were well cared for".

Mr Straw recast the events of the last four days as part of complications that can arise in international relations. The UK's close contacts with Iran will continue as before, he said.

"We have diplomatic relations with Iran. We work hard on these relationships and sometimes these relationships are complicated. But I'm in no doubt that our policy of engagement with the government of Iran and the Islamic People's Republic of Iran is the best approach," the Foreign Secretary said.

Military equipment seized by the Iranians – including the three motor patrol boats and the soldiers' rifles – has not yet been returned, and will be the subject of further discussions.

(gmcg)