Fifteen British Navy personnel have been captured at gunpoint by Iranian forces, the Ministry of Defence says.
The men were seized at 1030 local time when they boarded a boat in the Gulf, off the coast of Iraq, which they suspected was smuggling cars.
The Royal Navy said it was doing everything it could to secure the release of its personnel, who are based on HMS Cornwall.
It added that the men had been carrying out a routine patrol in Iraqi waters.
The Ministry of Defence said: "The group boarding party had completed a successful inspection of a merchant ship when they and their two boats were surrounded and escorted by Iranian vessels into Iranian territorial waters.
"We are urgently pursuing this matter with the Iranian authorities at the highest level.
"The British government is demanding the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment."
It is understood the men being held are safe and well.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has summoned the Iranian ambassador in London to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in an attempt to get the men released as quickly as possible.
In a statement, leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Menzies Campbell, also called for their immediate release.
"Whatever the rights and wrongs of military action, British forces in Iraq are now there with the authority of a UN security council resolution... and the Iranian government should be left in no doubt of the serious implications of their action," he said.
The incident comes as British Army Colonel Justin Masherevski, who is based in Iraq, says most of the violence against UK forces in Basra is being engineered by Iranian elements.
Col Masherevski said Iran was providing "sophisticated weaponry" to insurgents and "Iranian agents" were paying local men to attack British troops.
In 2004, Iran detained eight British servicemen for three days after they allegedly strayed over the maritime border.
The UK claimed the men were "forcibly escorted" into Iranian territorial waters.
While they were being held, the men were paraded blindfold and made to apologise on Iranian TV before their release was agreed.
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Robbins said the difference this time, and a cause of concern, is that the present Iranian government under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was much more hardline.
"The political climate is worse with Britain among those confronting Iran over its controversial nuclear programme," he added.
The Iranians keep changing their stories.. They're blatantly making things up. It is clearly provocation for war. I'm not talking about land invasion like Iraq because I don't think it will be an Iraqi-style war. The attacks will come from the skies. They're building nuclear reactors which they cannot be trusted with especially with their threats towards Israel. They are handing their weapons and arms to Iraqi militias, they're paying them to attack British and US troops.
Now this...
They're taunting...
First of all Iran is not threat to world peace; Bush admistration is a threat. Why? Lets compare U.S,Israel and Iran; since Islamic Republic took over Iran government Iran only had one war with Iraq. The United States was behind the Iran and Iraq war; those years Saddam was a puppet.
Ok lets jump to U.S and Israel; I'll start with U.S government. The U.S is the only nation that drop nuclear bomb. Look at the world now since ww2; many nations hope wars would stop after the second world war but u.s continue its wars. I can name many wars and conflicts; many of those wars so many lives was lost. U.S is becoming the leading nation using bombs towards civilians during wars.
Also Israel is a threat too; they are the only nation in the middle east arm with nuclear bomb. Why not Iran arm with bomb? Dont you think its unfair policy? I know you believe your government is not trusting Iran with nuke. Well Iran does not trust Israel since they hear news about palestinians are being bombarded with airstrikes.
The records of Iran being involve in a war and comflict is very little compare to U.S or Israel.
Please read the reports. Nobody was 'spying'. How do you 'spy' on Iran from a small boat in the middle of the Gulf?! They were inspecting a ship suspected of smuggling.
It's tit-for-tat.
'Tit-for-tat' is fine as long as they don't moan about the inevitable 'tit' that is likely to follow their 'tat' if they keep this nonsense up.
format_quote Originally Posted by AvarAllahNoor
Mugabe has slaughtered hundreds of thousands and no one even talks about invading Zimbabwe.
Actually it has been mentioned, but regarded as impracticable as it would require support from the African countries, particularly South Africa, that would not be forthcoming. Unbelieveably they still seem to buy Mugabe's spin about some sort of on-going colonial war, or though at last attitudes seem to be changing a little. Sometimes, though, you wonder if it will take the whole of the Zimbabwean population to cross the border into SA before they get of their backsides and do something.
Iran are a bunch of idiots, the UK has every right to bomb Iran.
this has been said before iraq war,,ur politicians claimed saddam has chemical weapons...nonsense...!!
what were the british soldiers doing there?!!
as i know britain doesnt have a land there,,,am i wrong?
try to stay in ur own country,,,if iranians are idiots,you are more than them...
go ahead bomb iran....if you can! but dont think that iran is so weak as irak...
you are worrying for ur 15 soldiers,,but 660 people,avarage,(not soldiers,babies,women,innocents) are dying in irak everyday...try to worry about them a little too...dont be sooo selfish..
Please read the reports. Nobody was 'spying'. How do you 'spy' on Iran from a small boat in the middle of the Gulf?! They were inspecting a ship suspected of smuggling.
'Tit-for-tat' is fine as long as they don't moan about the inevitable 'tit' that is likely to follow their 'tat' if they keep this nonsense up.
They tremble at such threats.... & Inspecting is another word for spying isn't it eh.
UK should never have got in this mess, joining forces with US was the biggest mistake this country has made for many years. How would we feel if Iranian boats were patrolimg the Channel. Can't image we would sit back and take it, why should the Iranians be any different
Ėk Gusā Alhu Mėrā
The One Lord, the Lord of the World, is my God Allah.
Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Mahraaj Ji!
Kal Meh Bėḏ Atharbaṇ Hū Nā Kẖuḏā Alhu Bẖa.
In the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Atharva Veda became prominent; Allah became the Name of God.
I expect the hostages to be released sometime in the next week. Probably with a public apology.
Are you serious?
Honestly what about those your government takes into custody without any evidence and release them WITHOUT an apology? You can be sure that there have been alot more that 25 taken into custody and I haven't seen an apology ever.
You're government has their honor and pride and Iran likely has his too. You're asking very much if you want an apology when you yourself aren't willing to do it.
How has Iran evolved into the Muslim "hero" nation all of a sudden? Those who dislike George Bush and Tony Blair for their politics should despise the Iranian president for the same reason.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
Honestly what about those your government takes into custody without any evidence and release them WITHOUT an apology? You can be sure that there have been alot more that 25 taken into custody and I haven't seen an apology ever.
You're government has their honor and pride and Iran likely has his too. You're asking very much if you want an apology when you yourself aren't willing to do it.
Just watch the news in coming week. I would expect the hostages to be released with either a public statement at the U.N. apologizing for the "misunderstanding", or a written statement to the same effect. You don't have to risk your pride if you characterize the situation as a misunderstanding.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
Honestly what about those your government takes into custody without any evidence and release them WITHOUT an apology? You can be sure that there have been alot more that 25 taken into custody and I haven't seen an apology ever.
You're government has their honor and pride and Iran likely has his too. You're asking very much if you want an apology when you yourself aren't willing to do it.
Don't worry. Iran did the same in 2004, and did you see the aplogy? They paraded the men blindfolded live on TV, Nothing could be done. That's the apology they'll get!
Ėk Gusā Alhu Mėrā
The One Lord, the Lord of the World, is my God Allah.
Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Mahraaj Ji!
Kal Meh Bėḏ Atharbaṇ Hū Nā Kẖuḏā Alhu Bẖa.
In the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Atharva Veda became prominent; Allah became the Name of God.
Inspecting is another word for spying isn't it eh.
No. Perhaps you should invest in a good dictionary?
Spying is a covert activity. There is nothing covert about stopping and searching a merchant ship. Neither is there anything covert about leaving it and allowing it to go about it's business.
How would we feel if Iranian boats were patrolimg the Channel. Can't image we would sit back and take it, why should the Iranians be any different
If they stayed in international waters and (or indeed or) were operating in accordance with a UN mandate that is exactly what we would do!
How has Iran evolved into the Muslim "hero" nation all of a sudden? Those who dislike George Bush and Tony Blair for their politics should despise the Iranian president for the same reason.
Well I'm a Sikh not a muslim (No we're not the same....)
The only resentment I have is how U.S and UK bully people/nations that do not agree with their ways. Is this right? Not in my book. I'm British and proud. And would defend this country against invasion or attack of any sort. But what i don't agree with as stated above, us forcing our way on others. So I knwo you think my posts are in favour of Iran and war. But no, I'm for peace yet, I can't stand the bully nations dicating. And I won't apologise for this view either.
Ėk Gusā Alhu Mėrā
The One Lord, the Lord of the World, is my God Allah.
Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Mahraaj Ji!
Kal Meh Bėḏ Atharbaṇ Hū Nā Kẖuḏā Alhu Bẖa.
In the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Atharva Veda became prominent; Allah became the Name of God.
It most probably will. However, what I'm trying to get through to you is that you everyone makes mistakes, they have their honor too, Infact England has made more mistakes than any other country itself. Have you forgotten colonialism? Has the British nation apologized to trying to colonize other nations? You tell me who is being the arrogant one here expecting an apology?
I expect the hostages to be released sometime in the next week. Probably with a public apology.
Why not the british government apoligize for the Iaq war? Ok what about british colonization and slavery from the past; did you forget about those apologies?
Well I'm a Sikh not a muslim (No we're not the same....)
The only resentment I have is how U.S and UK bully people/nations that do not agree with their ways. Is this right? Not in my book. I'm British and proud. And would defend this country against invasion or attack of any sort. But what i don't agree with as stated above, us forcing our way on others. So I knwo you think my posts are in favour of Iran and war. But no, I'm for peace yet, I can't stand the bully nations dicating. And I won't apologise for this view either.
Fair enough, but if you are truly being objective you should also realize that those "bully nations" aren't fully to blame for the state of affairs with Iran at the moment. The Iranian president is just as if not more responsible for the current situation.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
Why not the british government apoligize for the Iaq war? Ok what about british colonization and slavery from the past; did you forget about those apologies?
I'm not sure what colonialism and slavery have to do with the political standoff with Iran in 2007...
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
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Deploy troops in Iran...! (OP)
& Inspecting is another word for spying isn't it eh.
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