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30/03/2007
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.
A similar statement was also made by Leading Seaman Faye Turney - the only female captive - on Wednesday. On Friday, Iran released a letter, allegedly written by Mrs Turney, claiming that she had been "sacrificed" to the policies of the British and US government. It also called on the British government to end "its oppressive behaviour towards other people".
Prime Minister Tony Blair said that the footage would "fool no-one" and said that "parading" the personnel in that way would only "enhance" the public's sense of "disgust" with Iran.
The fifteen personnel - eight sailors and seven marines - were captured by Iranian forces last Friday.
The crew from HMS Cornwall were taking part in a routine operation in the Shatt Al Arab waterway when they were detained.
Iran claimed that they had strayed into their waters. However, this was denied by the British government and on Wednesday the Ministry of Defence released evidence confirming that the personnel were 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi territory when they were seized.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett confirmed that Iran's foreign ministry sent a formal letter to the British Embassy in Tehran about the crisis.
According to reports, the letter condemns the "illegal act" committed by the personnel and calls for the establishment of a technical forum to ensure that British forces do not enter Iranian waters again.
However, it has been reported that the note does not call for an apology, although Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called on Britain to apologise.
The United Nations Security Council has issued a statement expressing "grave concern" over the crisis and calling for the personnel to be released.
However the wording of the issued statement is not the stronger condemnation that Britain wanted.
(KMcA/SP)
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.
A similar statement was also made by Leading Seaman Faye Turney - the only female captive - on Wednesday. On Friday, Iran released a letter, allegedly written by Mrs Turney, claiming that she had been "sacrificed" to the policies of the British and US government. It also called on the British government to end "its oppressive behaviour towards other people".
Prime Minister Tony Blair said that the footage would "fool no-one" and said that "parading" the personnel in that way would only "enhance" the public's sense of "disgust" with Iran.
The fifteen personnel - eight sailors and seven marines - were captured by Iranian forces last Friday.
The crew from HMS Cornwall were taking part in a routine operation in the Shatt Al Arab waterway when they were detained.
Iran claimed that they had strayed into their waters. However, this was denied by the British government and on Wednesday the Ministry of Defence released evidence confirming that the personnel were 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi territory when they were seized.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett confirmed that Iran's foreign ministry sent a formal letter to the British Embassy in Tehran about the crisis.
According to reports, the letter condemns the "illegal act" committed by the personnel and calls for the establishment of a technical forum to ensure that British forces do not enter Iranian waters again.
However, it has been reported that the note does not call for an apology, although Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called on Britain to apologise.
The United Nations Security Council has issued a statement expressing "grave concern" over the crisis and calling for the personnel to be released.
However the wording of the issued statement is not the stronger condemnation that Britain wanted.
(KMcA/SP)
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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.
17 October 2003
Iran promises 'accelerated' cooperation with nuclear inspectors
Iran has told the United Nations nuclear watchdog that it will "accelerate" its cooperation on nuclear issues. In a dispatch from its Vienna headquarters, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that its Director-General, Mohamed ElBaradei, met in Tehran with Hassan Rohani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
Iran promises 'accelerated' cooperation with nuclear inspectors
Iran has told the United Nations nuclear watchdog that it will "accelerate" its cooperation on nuclear issues. In a dispatch from its Vienna headquarters, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that its Director-General, Mohamed ElBaradei, met in Tehran with Hassan Rohani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
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.
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.
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.
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