Iran detains Brit servicemen.

[joshualoftus]

Hey guys,
Not sure if someone's already posted this news. I couldn't find it if they did, so here goes.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s ... tish_ships
I hope the link works. It doesn't specify what the vessels are and who was on them, anyone know at all what they would be? Rigid Raider type vessels perhaps? Matelots or Bootnecks maybe?
Anyways, I hope it gets sorted out quickly. What do you guys think of the situation?

[minimac]

Cheeky buggers!

Hope they sort this mess out soon.

MM

[Hyperlithe]

THere's more info on the BBC website, this is an extract.

'Three UK vessels seized in Iran'


British military patrols have been working with Iraqi coast guards
Iran says it has seized three British navy vessels inside its territorial waters near the Iraqi border.
Eight British sailors on board were arrested when the vessels were seized on the Shatt al-Arab river, the foreign ministry in Tehran said.

A spokesman for Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the vessels had entered Iranian waters without permission.

The Ministry of Defence in London confirmed that it had lost contact with three small patrol boats in the area.

A source at the ministry said the three boats were being delivered to the Iraqis by the Royal Naval Training team.

At UK military headquarters in Basra, Capt Donald Francis said: "Three small Royal Navy patrol boats and eight crew have been out of communication since the early hours of this morning.

"Their last known location was in the vicinity of the Shatt al-Arab waterway."


A spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry, Hamid Reza Asefi, said the three vessels had entered Iranian waters on Monday morning.


"Iran's naval forces, acting on their legal duty, confiscated the vessels and arrested the crew," he added.

An Iranian military spokesman said the boats were being escorted to shore, where an investigation would be conducted.

He indicated they could be freed soon if the inquiry showed there had been no malicious intent.

[minimac]

Just hope they are being treated properly.

MM

[Cobalt]

Eight booties and three rigid raiders being held apparently.

[AdamR]

£10 says that they hang on to the boats.

[chrisfow]

im not taking that bet!

[mike_B]

This is VERY interesting.

I've been keeping an eye on this all day.

It seems the Iranians have been looking to get back at Britain (specifically) for a while due to its claims of Human Rights abuses and military nuclear technology capability claims. They obviously just strayed away and were picked up.

The worry is that Iran may do something incredibly stupid (the new dictatorship are renowed for acts of stupidity) in keeping them as PoWs or trying them in a court as spies. This has big implications and shouldn't be made light of. That may sound slightly sensationalist, but the facts are clear. Even if they do return in a safe and rapid manner, damage has already been done.

The chances are however, that all will be well.

Anyone for a tenner that the boys over at Credenhill may be getting a bit excited?

Mike

[Frank S.]

This is VERY interesting.

The worry is that Iran may do something incredibly stupid (the new dictatorship are renowed for acts of stupidity) in keeping them as PoWs or trying them in a court as spies. This has big implications and shouldn't be made light of. Mike

Agreed. I think, though, as 'stupid' they may have been, they can't realistically hold onto those troops for long. That would make it near impossible for Germany and France to continue their attempts at engaging Tehran diplomatically.

[Wholley]

I think Iran is becoming an increasingly loose cannon.
I'm not sure where the balls going to fall there.
The Ayatollas are losing ground as the younger population lean towards the west.Another revolution?Or maybe a pact with the Chinese so they can lob a nuke at Israel just to show that they are still a power in the Mid-East.
Thought's anyone?
Wholley.

[Gary_amsterdam]

What might happen if they decide to keep them/trial them? Uk assault on the prison? (with possible help from our allies?) all out war? Tactical tomohawks?

[tjc60]

I hope this is resolved swiftly, and the guys return unharmed. I also hope this doesn't result in a spread of the current situation in Iraq.

[Frank S.]

Let's not go straight to the worst case scenario, the whole thing's worrisome enough for the troops' families and their oppos.
I don't mean to piss on anybody's parade, understand... Just let's play it cool.

[Chris]

Sky News just said Iran are going to prosecute them

Also they seem to be getting OK treatment


so what will happen if they are found guilty??

[Seven]

Maybe it won't even go that far. Behind the scenes the negotiations have no doubt already started. Maybe Iran just wants to see the IAEA off it's back. Other than that I don't see Britain and the US going to war over something like this.