Middle East News

Iran says all British detainees in good health (Roundup)

Mar 25, 2007, 15:11 GMT

Tehran - Iran on Sunday said that all the 15 British detainees in Tehran were in good health, state news agency IRNA reported.

An undated handout picture shows British Navy vessel HMS CORNWALL in the North Arabian Gulf. The British government demanded the immediate and safe return of 15 Royal Navy sailors seized at gunpoint by Iranian warships in Iraqi territorial waters. The incident, involving the Royal Navy's Type 22 frigate HMS Cornwall, happened at around 0730 GMT on 23 March, following a inspection of a merchant ship. EPA/CROWN COPYRIGHT RESERVED - LA JANNINE B HARTMANNForeign Ministry General Director Rahim Pour further told British Ambassador to Tehran Geoffrey Adams that a certain process must be passed in the case. 'Despite the Norouz (Persian New Year) holidays (until April 2), relevant Iranian officials were following the issue,' he said. The Iranian official added that Iran has constantly tried to show restraint in border conflicts but 'violation (of Iranian territory) and contradictory remarks by relevant British officials have caused some reactions within (Iranian) people and officials.' 'Therefore, such suspicious moves require accurate and documented investigations,' the Foreign Ministry official said. It is still unclear whether British diplomats were allowed to visit the detainees. The tone from Tehran on Sunday was considered by observers as softer than in the first 48 hours following the arrest of the British service people in the Persian Gulf, indicating that Iran was looking for a way to settle the issue without further escalating the crisis. Iranian state media had earlier Sunday reported that the British ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry over 'violation of Iranian territorial waters by the British Navy,' but IRNA reported a meeting and not a summoning. There has been no confirmation so far of a report by Britain's The Times which quoted an unnamed local website close to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as saying that the 15 Britons would be charged with espionage. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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placidguyMar 25th, 2007 - 15:55:29

Sounds like the UK was up to covert stuff. Who know's, I have a hard time
believing what the Bush people say.

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AbdullahMar 25th, 2007 - 15:56:58

The Iranians should not release the British sailors and marines who ventured into Iranian waters until the U.S. releases all Iranian diplomats and government workers wrongfully held in Iraq.

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William HaggertyMar 25th, 2007 - 15:57:13

I think it is time to to say 'Let them go free or we're coming in to do some severe damage'.
Regards
William Haggerty

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William HaggertyMar 25th, 2007 - 15:57:23

I think it is time to to say 'Let them go free or we're coming in to do some severe damage'.
Regards
William Haggerty

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singularMar 25th, 2007 - 15:57:44

When everybody lies, how do you know what the truth is?

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USA all the WayMar 25th, 2007 - 15:58:39

To Placidguy, You believe the Iranian regime over the US govt? Go live there and see how much you trust them.... They sit on enough oil to float flood the Middle East but they need nuclear energy for 'Peaceful Purposes'

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singularMar 25th, 2007 - 15:59:38

Still sounds like the blame game. Politics as usual. Just let me win and I will be satisfied.

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PamMar 25th, 2007 - 16:13:01

I think Iran is trying to stir somthing up. Testing just how far they can push before the British and USA get upset. It is like the Big Mouth frog joke.
You do realize the Iranians are abit maladjusted to mess with Britian.

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Fed UpMar 25th, 2007 - 16:13:30

If an Iranian or Iraqi doesn't give a second thought to blowing himself and as many innocet bystanders as possible to Allah, what makes you think they would hesitate to launch a Nuclear weapon if they had one?

Go U.S. and U.K.

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MarkMar 25th, 2007 - 16:15:34

The situation is quite simple, we should the Iranians 24 hours to release all the navy personnel and equipment or we go in an take them by using whatever force is required to get the job done.

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