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.
I'm not sure what colonialism and slavery have to do with the political standoff with Iran in 2007...
Its 2007 Britain and its allies are colonizing Iraq and occupying it. Well U.S, Britain and its allies are planing to colonize Iran just like Iraq. However they want to justifie there war by using this situation.
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.
Yes to an extent he is BUT, it's only because we're syaing you should not have nukes, why? Because they made a comment about annihalating Israel? Things are said, but that does not mean it will take place. It's hypocrisy Keltoi.
They are entilteld to protecting their country from attack by what ever means neccesary. I don't see the problem with them being a nuclear power. We are you are. It's a case of ''You Do As We Say'' Nope it isn't correct. Assist them to use the power in a good way, don't make them. It never works!
Last edited by AvarAllahNoor; 03-25-2007 at 03:30 PM.
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.
Its 2007 Britain and its allies are colonizing Iraq and occupying it. Well U.S, Britain and its allies are planing to colonize Iran just like Iraq. However they want to justifie there war by using this situation.
Planning to colonize Iran just like Iraq? C'mon, at least stick to a half way realistic script.
"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."
Planning to colonize Iran just like Iraq? C'mon, at least stick to a half way realistic script.
Who's behind the sanctions against Iran? U.S, Israel and britain are all behind it. After sanctions there will be a war afterwards and then colonization. Look what happen to Iraq now; after gulf war Iraq was sanction for false reason. In 2003 a war was declare using lies.
UN have no credibilty! - They serve no purpose, the defiance of the Iraq invasion by the US proved it.
No 'credibility' with who? While the UN may certainly have its faults it is essential to remember that it is the sum of of its members, particularly with regard to the Security Council. If a resolution is adopted by the Security Council it means it has not been vetoed, and has usually been agreed (as is the case here) by the US, Russia and China, among others. Whether you, or the Iranians, may think the UN is 'credible' or not is irrelevant. Iran is quite at liberty to ignore the UN and the expressed will of those countries, but must accept there may well be be unpleasant consequences in doing so. That does not necessarily involve military action, which is extremely unlikely in this instance.
Quite apart from which, if that is the approach you advocate for the Iranians, perhaps they should resign from the UN? No point in staying members if it has no 'credibility', surely?
Quite apart from which, if that is the approach you advocate for the Iranians, perhaps they should resign from the UN? No point in staying members if it has no 'credibility', surely?
Oooh get you...
They failed to stop US from an illegal war. US, should be held accountable then maybe the world will take it's role seriously. US are members they too should leave, no? Of course not, you can only see the wrongs of others but not your own....:rollseyes
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.
All iam gónna say is what was the first job of the u.s army in iraq? To libirate the people? 2 fight saddams men? 2 fight n locate terrorist? Nope it was 2 secure the oil pumps n reservs
Our preperation continued, with our efforts and the efforts of our brothers, for years and years. Through out that time we gathered, observed and waited until the moment to move arrived.
basra, Iraq • An Iraqi fisherman who said he saw Iranian forces detain British sailors and marines on Friday in a waterway between Iraq and Iran said yesterday the ship British forces were searching was anchored in Iraqi waters.
Iran has condemned what it called the illegal entry of 15 British naval personnel into Iranian waters as a “suspicious act”, the official Irna news agency said yesterday.
Britain says they were detained in Iraqi waters on a routine search operation and has demanded their immediate return.
The fisherman, the same one who said he witnessed the sailors being detained several hours before it was confirmed by the British government, said the line between Iranian and Iraqi waters was not marked by buoys but was well known.
“We’ve been working in this job for many years and because of our experience we can distinguish which is the Iraqi and which is Iranian side,” he said, adding that Iraqi boats never venture across because of tight security by Iranian coastguards.
He said the ship the British forces were searching was among several that had been anchored for a week or more, waiting to unload or take on cargo at an Iraqi port. “The ship was in Iraqi waters,” said the fisherman, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.
Brigadier Hakim Jassam of the Iraqi coastguard said the incident happened at the entrance of the Shatt al-Arab waterway, where the open waters of the Gulf narrow into a channel that marks the southern border between the two countries. “We don’t know whether it happened in Iraqi or Iranian waters, we don’t have exact information,” Jassam said.
They have actually seriously considered it, which as far as I'm aware is more than can be said for Iran.
Of course not, you can only see the wrongs of others but not your own....
You still don't you get it? 'Rights' and 'wrongs' have nothing to do with it. Nobody cares, Bush, Blair, Ahmednejad, whoever. They should care, but they don't. It's all about power and how it is used.
Unanimous UN resolutions carry power to some degree or other, and just standing there saying the UN has no 'credibility' doesn't stop sanctions biting or even, in extreme cases, the bombs dropping. Iran doesn't have that power in the same way. It can tweak the tiger's tail, but sooner or later the tiger is likely to turn around and bite. It's a dangerous game; far too dangerous for the level of possible reward.
Unanimous UN resolutions carry power to some degree or other, and just standing there saying the UN has no 'credibility' doesn't stop sanctions biting or even, in extreme cases, the bombs dropping. Iran doesn't have that power in the same way. It can tweak the tiger's tail, but sooner or later the tiger is likely to turn around and bite. It's a dangerous game; far too dangerous for the level of possible reward.
All well, but it'll not be like Iraq or Afghanistan, don't make that mistake.
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.
All well, but it'll not be like Iraq or Afghanistan, don't make that mistake.
You are right about that. Any military action against Iran will be focused on damage, period. Don't buy into Iran's bark. Iran and Iraq fought each other to a standstill, and look how well Iraq faired in the two Gulf Wars. Unless you are referring to terrorist cells, which is a concern obviously. Neither the U.S. nor the U.K. is too concerned about Iran's military capability, the concern is the effect on the region and its politics. Nobody in the West wants a war with Iran, but it seems Iran is going to push those buttons until they get what they wished for.
"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 am I not surprised that Sami wants a war. That way he can issue more hate messages towards the West.
Well this old Western War Munger would like to see a peaceful resolution.
thanks for showing your true hate for muslims you say i want a war and i hate? that is funny since manchester was calling iran idiots and calling for them to be bombed! and you didnt say anything about that, but you claim i hate and want war, lol how typical of you, thanks for showing your true colors, you see folks this guy thinks its ok for a westerner to call iran idiots and to bomb them, yet if i mention the consequences of what would happen he claims i hate and i want war, wow.
but it is good since you couldnt even refute any of my points of what would happen if a war breaks out because everything i said was true, america and uk have no chance of bombing iran since they cant deal with the consequences of what would happen. anyways thanks for showing your true hate for muslims.
thanks for showing your true hate for muslims you say i want a war and i hate? that is funny since manchester was calling iran idiots and calling for them to be bombed! and you didnt say anything about that, but you claim i hate and want war, lol how typical of you, thanks for showing your true colors, you see folks this guy thinks its ok for a westerner to call iran idiots and to bomb them, yet if i mention the consequences of what would happen he claims i hate and i want war, wow.
but it is good since you couldnt even refute any of my points of what would happen if a war breaks out because everything i said was true, america and uk have no chance of bombing iran since they cant deal with the consequences of what would happen. anyways thanks for showing your true hate for muslims.
What aload of coswollop. No chance of bombing Iran?? It's brewing and if Iran continue to step out of line then Iran will face the consequences. Yeah it will increase terrorism against the west and that would breed Islamophobia which would also mean muslims living in the west would also get the thick of it. Islamophobia helps right wing parties grow...
War isn't a laughing matter. You lot are going "haha you'll face the consequences blar-de-blar" but so will you...
But if Iran continue then there's obviously no alternative. They're not the people you can just sit down and talk with...
so will we? lol go ahead and attack muslims in europe, we are not scared like you, there are 100 million muslims in europe and even if you attack us in europe you will face consequences so go on and do what you want, you can never break our moral, but your moral is very easy to break, as i said if you lose 100 soldiers your moral is gone, and when you lose up to a thousand soldiers in one week your whole nation will call for the end of the war and you will see.
and you say you will attack us in your countries, dont forget that your people also live in our countries: egypt, uae, bahrain, turkey, morroco, tunis, indonesia, and manyyyyyyy others and you can bet that if you westerners go and attack muslims on a wide-scale in your countries that muslims in their countries will not sit by and let your ppl live peacefully in theirs, so therefore again you lose, so as they say 'bring it on'
so will we? lol go ahead and attack muslims in europe, we are not scared like you, there are 100 million muslims in europe and even if you attack us in europe you will face consequences so go on and do what you want, you can never break our moral, but your moral is very easy to break, as i said if you lose 100 soldiers your moral is gone, and when you lose up to a thousand soldiers in one week your whole nation will call for the end of the war and you will see.
and you say you will attack us in your countries, dont forget that your people also live in our countries: egypt, uae, bahrain, turkey, morroco, tunis, indonesia, and manyyyyyyy others and you can bet that if you westerners go and attack muslims on a wide-scale in your countries that muslims in their countries will not sit by and let your ppl live peacefully in theirs, so therefore again you lose, so as they say 'bring it on'
Are you thick or just very young? That response like many of yours aren't worth me putting in the effort.. LOL
P.S
but your moral is very easy to break
lol you know nothing about the British obviously. Many will disagree... Just refer back to both world wars for starters
the thick one seems to be you as you once again cant actually respond to what i say since you know its true, but go on and blow your hot air since thats all you have, we still have your 15 soldiers lol all you have is hot steam and empty threats you CANT DO ANYTHING you cant even beat iraqi millitias and you wanna make yourself look strong lol plz who are you kidding? go to your local pub and have yourself a beer and get drunk and sing for your queen lol. lets hope iran sentences the 15 british terrorists
the thick one seems to be you as you once again cant actually respond to what i say since you know its true, but go on and blow your hot air since thats all you have, we still have your 15 soldiers lol all you have is hot steam and empty threats you CANT DO ANYTHING you cant even beat iraqi millitias and you wanna make yourself look strong lol plz who are you kidding? go to your local pub and have yourself a beer and get drunk and sing for your queen lol. lets hope iran sentences the 15 british terrorists
Do you know why nobody is putting in the effort with their responses to you? lol think about it I've given you a couple of clues in the posts I've sent you Your responses are full of anger and desperation..
you dont reply because you cant dispute what i said, everything i said is true and you cant stand it, you brainwashed yourself into thinking that your so strong and superior, i bring you back down to earth to let you know that you cant boss us muslims around and get away with it safe and sound.
but anyway using your criteria, muslims are justified if they bomb your country, because you say bomb iran for unjustly arresting britians, well you and your allies have arrested many innocent muslims and many are held in cuba by you thugs, hence if muslims bomb your country dont complain since it will be justified according to you thanks.
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Deploy troops in Iran...! (OP)
Our preperation continued, with our efforts and the efforts of our brothers, for years and years. Through out that time we gathered, observed and waited until the moment to move arrived.
anyways thanks for showing your true hate for muslims.
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