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28/03/2007
MoD releases evidence over Iran boat dispute
The Ministry of Defence has released evidence confirming that the British vessel at the centre of a dispute with Iran was 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi territory when Iranian forces seized the personnel on board.
Vice Admiral Charles Style revealed the exact co-ordinates of the HMS Cornwall at the time the fifteen personnel were seized at a news conference on Wednesday and said that the MoD "unambiguously contested" Iran's claims that the vessel had strayed into Iranian waters.
He said that the Britons had been "ambushed" and described their capture as "unjustified and wrong".
The military personnel - eight sailors and seven marines - were taking part in a routine operation in the Shatt Al Arab waterway when an Iranian naval force detained them.
It has been reported that mother-of-one Faye Turney, 26 - the only woman among those captured - could be released later on Wednesday or Thursday.
However, according to other reports, an Arabic Iranian television broadcaster is planning to show footage of the Britons.
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Prime Minister Tony Blair said that the detention of the Britons was "completely unacceptable, wrong and illegal" and said that it was time to "ratchet up the diplomatic and international pressure on the Iranian government understands their total isolation on this issue".
(KMcA/JM)
Vice Admiral Charles Style revealed the exact co-ordinates of the HMS Cornwall at the time the fifteen personnel were seized at a news conference on Wednesday and said that the MoD "unambiguously contested" Iran's claims that the vessel had strayed into Iranian waters.
He said that the Britons had been "ambushed" and described their capture as "unjustified and wrong".
The military personnel - eight sailors and seven marines - were taking part in a routine operation in the Shatt Al Arab waterway when an Iranian naval force detained them.
It has been reported that mother-of-one Faye Turney, 26 - the only woman among those captured - could be released later on Wednesday or Thursday.
However, according to other reports, an Arabic Iranian television broadcaster is planning to show footage of the Britons.
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Prime Minister Tony Blair said that the detention of the Britons was "completely unacceptable, wrong and illegal" and said that it was time to "ratchet up the diplomatic and international pressure on the Iranian government understands their total isolation on this issue".
(KMcA/JM)
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29 March 2007
Iran offers conditional access to captured Britons
Iran has offered to allow British officials access to the 15 Royal Navy personnel captured in the Gulf last week, but only if the UK admits that they had strayed into Iranian waters.
Iran offers conditional access to captured Britons
Iran has offered to allow British officials access to the 15 Royal Navy personnel captured in the Gulf last week, but only if the UK admits that they had strayed into Iranian waters.
04 April 2007
Iran to release Britons
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has announced that 15 British naval personnel, detained for allegedly trespassing in Iranian waters, are free to return home. In a news conference marking the Persian New Year, Mr Ahmadinejad said that the Britons had invaded Iranian waters, but said that they were being released as a "gift" to Britain.
Iran to release Britons
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has announced that 15 British naval personnel, detained for allegedly trespassing in Iranian waters, are free to return home. In a news conference marking the Persian New Year, Mr Ahmadinejad said that the Britons had invaded Iranian waters, but said that they were being released as a "gift" to Britain.
27 March 2007
Blair warning for Iran over captured Britons
Prime Minister Tony Blair has warned Iran that a "different phase" in efforts to win the release of fifteen British military personnel captured by Iranian forces will be entered into if diplomatic efforts fail.
Blair warning for Iran over captured Britons
Prime Minister Tony Blair has warned Iran that a "different phase" in efforts to win the release of fifteen British military personnel captured by Iranian forces will be entered into if diplomatic efforts fail.
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.
05 April 2007
British naval crew return to the UK
Fifteen British sailors and marines held captive in Iran have returned to Britain. The group travelled back to Britain from Iran on a British Airways flight which touched down at Heathrow shortly after midday on Thursday.
British naval crew return to the UK
Fifteen British sailors and marines held captive in Iran have returned to Britain. The group travelled back to Britain from Iran on a British Airways flight which touched down at Heathrow shortly after midday on Thursday.
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