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03/04/2007
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."
Ali Larjani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, told Iranian state radio that diplomatic talks had begun between the British government and the Iranian foreign ministry over the crisis.
On Tuesday afternoon, it was reported that new pictures had been released of the Britons, showing them talking, eating, drinking coffee and playing chess.
Iranian forces captured the British sailors and marines on March 23. 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 the Britons had strayed into their waters. However, the British government denied this and last week, the Ministry of Defence released evidence confirming that the personnel were 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi territory when they were seized.
On Monday, Iran said that all the Britons had admitted that they illegally entered the country's waters.
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.
Footage of Faye Turney - the only woman among those captured - and Nathan Summers was broadcast last week, while footage featuring Royal Marine Captain Chris Air and Lieutenant Felix Carman was broadcast at the weekend.
Footage of the alleged confessions of all the Britons was not shown on Iranian television. An Iranian news agency said that the footage was not being aired because of recent changes in the British government's "clamorous" policies.
However, later on Monday, previously unseen images of the Britons were shown on Iranian television although their voices could not be heard.
The Foreign Office said that showing the footage on television was unacceptable.
(KMcA/SP)
Mr Blair said: "The most important thing is to get our people back safe and sound."
Ali Larjani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, told Iranian state radio that diplomatic talks had begun between the British government and the Iranian foreign ministry over the crisis.
On Tuesday afternoon, it was reported that new pictures had been released of the Britons, showing them talking, eating, drinking coffee and playing chess.
Iranian forces captured the British sailors and marines on March 23. 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 the Britons had strayed into their waters. However, the British government denied this and last week, the Ministry of Defence released evidence confirming that the personnel were 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi territory when they were seized.
On Monday, Iran said that all the Britons had admitted that they illegally entered the country's waters.
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.
Footage of Faye Turney - the only woman among those captured - and Nathan Summers was broadcast last week, while footage featuring Royal Marine Captain Chris Air and Lieutenant Felix Carman was broadcast at the weekend.
Footage of the alleged confessions of all the Britons was not shown on Iranian television. An Iranian news agency said that the footage was not being aired because of recent changes in the British government's "clamorous" policies.
However, later on Monday, previously unseen images of the Britons were shown on Iranian television although their voices could not be heard.
The Foreign Office said that showing the footage on television was unacceptable.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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