Iran Detains British Sailors in Iraq Waters

Any one hear about this one yet?

LONDON (AP) -- Iranian naval vessels seized 15 British sailors in Iraqi waters on Friday, the Ministry of Defense said.

The British Navy personnel were ''engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters,'' and had completed their inspection of a merchant ship when they were accosted by Iranian vessels, the ministry said.

''We are urgently pursuing this matter with the Iranian authorities at the highest level and ... the Iranian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office,'' the ministry said.

A Pentagon official said the Britons were in two inflatable boats from the frigate H.M.S. Cornwall during a routine smuggling investigation, said the official, who spoke on condition on anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the incident.

He said the confrontation happened as the British contingent was traveling along the boundary of territorial waters between Iran and Iraq. They were detained by the Revolutionary Guard's navy, he said.

A fisherman who said he was with a group of Iraqis from the southern city of Basra fishing in Iraqi waters in the northern area of the Gulf said he saw the Iranian seizure. The fisherman declined to be identified because of security concerns.

''Two boats, each with a crew of six to eight multinational forces, were searching Iraqi and Iranian boats Friday morning in Ras al-Beesha area in the northern entrance of the Persian Gulf, but big Iranian boats came and took the two boats with their crews to the Iranian waters.''

The Britain government said it had demanded ''the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment.''

 

Always difficult to tell in a situation like this. There are so many things that could be going on. That is... things different from the official explanations on both sides.

According to what's on the BBS article it could simply be just a misunderstanding about what is and isn't considered Iraq/Iran territorial waters. I think there are probably any number of areas held as territory that is not seen as territory by the other side.

At least it's nice to see the British government is level headed in it's response. Playing a cool hand make soooo much more sense in this sort of a situation. I've not doubt the Americans would have come in giving everyone a tongue lashing and then no doubt found themselves to be at fault but used it as some pretext to invade Iran.

 

Yeah I agree with Slip. It's nice to see them cool for once.

 

it was a very silly thing for Iranian officers to do, I would expect this situation to resolve itself quite quickly, a bit of banter from both sides then the sailors returned safe and well. Anything less is likely to result in Iran getting bitch slapped.

 

I doubt it.
If you think the UK is going to somehow all of a sudden get it's bottle up and bitch slap anyone without approval from the US and it's Imperial Commander George W. Bush... you're living on another planet.

 

Britain can spring a surprise every so often, just ask the Argies...and I doubt the Imperial Commander would object to Britain kicking Iran in the crotch, so to speak.

 

I doubt he would object at all.

 

But they are not going to do it in hte run up to an election are they?

 

I wouldnt be surprised if in the near future we see military action in iran.

The way the media and the news today were going on and on about how Iran is involved in attacts on British/US troops in Iraq is setting it up very nicely...media

 

hell yes, you cant abandon troops in the run up to an election, the opposition would decimate you. Look at the Falklands and Thatcher, no one in Britain gives a damn about some cold wet rock in the South Atlantic, but standing strong and taking back what was ours caused a wave of patriotism to ripple through Britain. You dont get that ripple by invading the middle east, but you might get a similar but slightly more muted effect by standing strong and getting those sailors back.

 

you have to remember that the UK media isn't really pro-war with Iran. It doesn't promote it as the best course of action, in general if one of the main UK news networks is saying that Iranians are involved, then its certain that there is at least some evidence to that fact.

 

Yeah they can do the standing strong but they can't even do some decent gunboat diplomacy any more.

 

Don't underestimate the leverage wielded by Iran; they have aspirations of regional hegemony and, more than anything, they are determined not to be bullied on any issue. This whole affair is testament to Iran's burgeoning autonomy and is a potential vehicle for recognition of sovereignty by the U.K. With a calm diplomatic response from the U.K, I expect you are correct in thinking the sailors will be returned quickly and safely. However, if the U.K toughens their stance then you can look for deliberate and defiant delays on the part of Iran in returning the sailors. In such a scenario, the U.K would have few repercussions to offer their antagonist, reinforcing Iran's confidence in its strategic position.

 

well put Dev.

 

I think its mostly an attempt at humiliation. Fairly typical behaviour- its not the first time this has happened is it? Wonder if we will be treated to a mock execution this time.

Also pretty typical is that this probably wouldn't have happened if the Iranians didn't have overwhelming force in the encounter. Anyone else think its a little strange that this merchant vessel had such a large escort to hand? And the revolutionary guard no less.

 

err... would it happen for anyone without overwhelming force?
Obviously not.

 

I have no doubt that an invasion of Iran will happen at some point. I am very doubtful that this will cause it though. As long as the British dont insult the Iranians, the men will be returned safely. The Brits could charm you into giving them your land, and thinking it was your idea, so getting back a few men shouldnt be too difficult.

I agree with slip about the whole terriorty issue. What Iraq claims as their waters, could very much be the same area claimed by Iran. Who knows where these guys really were.

Could be alot worse I guess. I doubt the British would be quite so calm if the Iranians opened fire and killer the soldiers.

 

Then you must know something I don't.

 

Pretty sure we are all as much in the dark about this, as the next guy.

 

I have another take on the whole matter since it is several hours old now. How about the Iranians made this move to distract from the happenings at the U.N. Security Council Slippy? No doubt the whole passport issue, pending sanctions, etc. have part in Irans capturing the sailors. I am sure that the Brits can handle this situation with the same way it handled the last time Iran captured and released British soldiers. No doubt more saber rattling by Tehran!