Menu
01/07/2004
Detained troops had been 'forcibly escorted' into Iranian waters
Britain's diplomat row with Iran deepened last night after the MoD said that the eight British servicemen, who were allegedly detained inside the Islamic republic's territory, had in fact been "forcibly escorted" into Iranian waters.
Two sailors and six Marines, travelling in three boats, were arrested on June 21 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. They were finally released on June 25.
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon told the House of Commons yesterday: "In recent more detailed debriefing the crews have said that they were operating inside the Iraqi border and were forcibly escorted into Iranian territorial waters.
"Our assessment continues and will be greatly assisted by the retrieval of navigational information in the Global Positioning System equipment carried by the crews."
The MoD is still negotiating with authorities for the return of the soldiers' equipment, which includes the three boats, personal weapons, ammunition, radios and navigation equipment including echo sounders (to measure depth of water) Global Positioning Systems and up to date maritime charts.
Today the Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson said that the government will have "no compunction in speaking our mind" when discussing outstanding issues with the Iranians.
The British Ambassador in Tehran has been raising this matter daily with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he added.
(gmcg)
Two sailors and six Marines, travelling in three boats, were arrested on June 21 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. They were finally released on June 25.
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon told the House of Commons yesterday: "In recent more detailed debriefing the crews have said that they were operating inside the Iraqi border and were forcibly escorted into Iranian territorial waters.
"Our assessment continues and will be greatly assisted by the retrieval of navigational information in the Global Positioning System equipment carried by the crews."
The MoD is still negotiating with authorities for the return of the soldiers' equipment, which includes the three boats, personal weapons, ammunition, radios and navigation equipment including echo sounders (to measure depth of water) Global Positioning Systems and up to date maritime charts.
Today the Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson said that the government will have "no compunction in speaking our mind" when discussing outstanding issues with the Iranians.
The British Ambassador in Tehran has been raising this matter daily with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he added.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 April 2007
British crew 'admit trespass'
All 15 British sailors and marines detained in Iran have admitted that they illegally entered the country's waters, Iranian state radio has reported. Previous footage of four crew members - three men and one woman - have been broadcast on Iranian television showing the Britons saying that they had entered Iran's waters.
British crew 'admit trespass'
All 15 British sailors and marines detained in Iran have admitted that they illegally entered the country's waters, Iranian state radio has reported. Previous footage of four crew members - three men and one woman - have been broadcast on Iranian television showing the Britons saying that they had entered Iran's waters.
30 March 2007
Second sailor 'apology' screened by Iran
Footage has been broadcast on Iranian television showing a second member of the captured Royal Navy crew apologising for "trespassing" in Iranian waters. The crewman, who introduced himself as Nathan Thomas Summers, said that the Britons had entered into Iranian waters without permission and apologised to the Iranian people.
Second sailor 'apology' screened by Iran
Footage has been broadcast on Iranian television showing a second member of the captured Royal Navy crew apologising for "trespassing" in Iranian waters. The crewman, who introduced himself as Nathan Thomas Summers, said that the Britons had entered into Iranian waters without permission and apologised to the Iranian people.
23 June 2009
UK Expels Two Iranian Diplomats
The PM Gordon Brown has announced two Iranian diplomats are to be expelled after the "unjustified" expulsion of two British envoys. The move, which the Prime Minister said was in response to Iran ordering two UK diplomats to leave the country, was announced today in the House of Commons.
UK Expels Two Iranian Diplomats
The PM Gordon Brown has announced two Iranian diplomats are to be expelled after the "unjustified" expulsion of two British envoys. The move, which the Prime Minister said was in response to Iran ordering two UK diplomats to leave the country, was announced today in the House of Commons.
12 April 2005
Armed man takes children hostage in Germany
An armed man has seized several children and is holding them hostage in a house in Germany. The man, who is armed with a knife, reportedly forced a number of children from a bus in the town of Ennepetal, about 40 miles northwest of Cologne.
Armed man takes children hostage in Germany
An armed man has seized several children and is holding them hostage in a house in Germany. The man, who is armed with a knife, reportedly forced a number of children from a bus in the town of Ennepetal, about 40 miles northwest of Cologne.
24 June 2004
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.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
