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29/03/2007
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.
However, Britain has stated that the HMS Cornwall - the vessel that the personnel were attached to - was in Iraqi waters when Iranian forces seized the Britons on Friday.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has held talks with Iran's Foreign Minister during a summit of Arab leaders in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh.
On Wednesday, television footage of the Britons was shown on Iranian television. Leading Seaman Faye Turney, 26 - the only woman among the eight sailors and seven marines captured - was interviewed. She was wearing a headscarf and admitted that the personnel had apparently crossed into Iranian waters. She also said that their captors were friendly and hospitable.
The party from HMS Cornwall was taking part in a routine operation in the Shatt Al Arab waterway when an Iranian naval force detained them.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence released evidence confirming that the personnel were 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi territory when they were seized.
Vice Admiral Charles Style revealed the exact co-ordinates of the HMS Cornwall at the time the 15 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".
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, 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."
(KMcA/SP)
However, Britain has stated that the HMS Cornwall - the vessel that the personnel were attached to - was in Iraqi waters when Iranian forces seized the Britons on Friday.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has held talks with Iran's Foreign Minister during a summit of Arab leaders in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh.
On Wednesday, television footage of the Britons was shown on Iranian television. Leading Seaman Faye Turney, 26 - the only woman among the eight sailors and seven marines captured - was interviewed. She was wearing a headscarf and admitted that the personnel had apparently crossed into Iranian waters. She also said that their captors were friendly and hospitable.
The party from HMS Cornwall was taking part in a routine operation in the Shatt Al Arab waterway when an Iranian naval force detained them.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence released evidence confirming that the personnel were 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi territory when they were seized.
Vice Admiral Charles Style revealed the exact co-ordinates of the HMS Cornwall at the time the 15 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".
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, 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."
(KMcA/SP)
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28 March 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.
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.
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.
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.
03 April 2007
Next 48 hours 'critical' in Iran crisis
The next two days will be "fairly critical" in the bid to secure the release of 15 Royal Navy personnel detained in Iran, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said. Mr Blair said: "The most important thing is to get our people back safe and sound.
Next 48 hours 'critical' in Iran crisis
The next two days will be "fairly critical" in the bid to secure the release of 15 Royal Navy personnel detained in Iran, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said. Mr Blair said: "The most important thing is to get our people back safe and sound.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
