'Three UK vessels seized in Iran'

[cut]

'Three UK vessels seized in Iran'

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40296000/gif/_40296451_iraq_shatt_map203.gif


Iran has seized three British navy vessels that entered its territorial waters near the Iraqi border, according to an Iranian media report.

Eight British sailors on board the vessels were arrested, Iranian naval sources were quoted as saying.

A report on al-Alam satellite TV news said the arrests were made on the Shatt al-Arab river that marks the boundary between Iran and Iraq.

The sources told the TV station that weapons and maps were found on board.

The Ministry of Defence in London said it had no information about the incident and was looking into the reports.


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/3826179.stm

Published: 2004/06/21 12:16:39 GMT

[moughoun]

This sound's like a job for the Royal Marines dadadadadadadadadadadad ;) , no really

[Gringo]

Royal will kick their arses! He's the real Green Beret!

[cut]

it's top news on google at the moment

[W(M)D]

Are they sure that it was not just another case of the RN (Royal Navy) grounding some more of it's boats after navigational error!! LOL

[cut]

:roll:

[MARINO]

:bash:

[Kitsune]

There is probably an exciting spy story behind this. Only when Forsyth has published his novel about it, we will know the whole truth. ;)

[seruriermarshal]

God bless our UK friend !

:|

[W(M)D]

There is probably an exciting spy story behind this. Only when Forsyth has published his novel about it, we will know the whole truth. ;)

If the SAS somehow were involved, you will have to wait until the first one writes a book about his exploits! LOL

[obd]

hehe, well I too would like to tell a joke about it but seeing as an estimated 8 lives are in jeopardy in the hands of a theocratic and corrupt enemy state I will instead say this: Hope you are being treated well and are released to your units and family soon.......

[UoUo]

What will the british will do if the iranian will not willing to free the boats...only yhe people....the british will agree?

I hope not! :bash:

[tuckerhat]

Sigh... don't mess with the British

[BlackRain]

Does anyone know what class of patrol boats were involved?

[ZeroPositive]

This sucks friking Iranians leave us Brits alone....

[A Soldier]

Iran better go about this nicely or they could be the next Iraq or Argentina.

[A Soldier]

Colin Powell just got done meeting with IAEA over Irans nuclear program so it looks like tensions with Iran are heating up, they said they can only hope that Iran will cooperate......... I have a feeling they won't

[Uncle Chô]

Iran better go about this nicely or they could be the next Iraq or Argentina.
No way, we have currently no Super-Etendart for sale / lease ;)




From the BBC - 6:30pm English time

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."

Confiscated

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.

He said the Revolutionary Guards were now waiting for the Iranian foreign ministry to take up the case.

Tense relations

Iranian naval sources quoted by Iran's official Arab-language al-Alam satellite TV news station said weapons and maps were found on board the vessels.

A spokesman for the UK foreign ministry in London said three small patrol boats were known to be operating in the area on a training patrol with the Iraqi coastal defence force.

THE SHATT AL-ARAB
120 miles of tidal waterway
Formed by Tigris and Euphrates rivers
Subject to 1639 Persian-Ottoman treaty
Southern stretch forms border between Iraq and Iran
River is vital trade route for both countries

The spokesman said British diplomats had been in touch with the Iranian authorities over the incident, both in London and Tehran.

However, they had not yet received official confirmation from the Iranians of the identity of those arrested.

The BBC's Jim Muir in Tehran says relations between Britain and Iran are always delicate and are currently somewhat tense over Iraq, human rights, Iran's nuclear programme and other issues.

But our correspondent adds that incidents of this kind would normally be expected to be resolved in isolation from political complications.


Sounds Rigid Inflatable Boats to me...

Too bad those sailors won't watch the match tonight :(

[aktarian]

This sucks friking Iranians leave us Brits alone....

Perhaps you Brits should leave Iranians alone...

This is second such incident. During Telic small group of Brits landed on Iranian side of Shat. Some reports say they were told where they are after which they apologised and left, some say there was some shooting with no casualties on either side.

I heard Iranians said that if this is due to navigational error Brits will be released soon.

[king_nothing100]

Does anyone know what class of patrol boats were involved? Probabley Zodiac type patrol craft or some other simular RIB.

[usa320]

Iran really should play nice because they are already in hot water as it is.

[A Soldier]

Yeah they would have to be b/c the report said only 8 crew members were arrested

[Aussie E]

from www.theaustralian.news.com.au

UK navy loses contact with boats
From correspondents in Baghdad
June 22, 2004
THE Royal Navy acknowledged today that it had lost contact with three small patrol boats after they went on a routine mission in the waterway between Iraq and Iran, a British military spokesman said.

The statement came only hours after state-run television in Iran said that Tehran had confiscated the three British military vessels and arrested eight armed crew members. British officials did not confirm whether or not the boats and the crewmembers had been captured.

"I can confirm that three small Royal Navy patrol boats and eight crew have been out of communication since the early hours of this morning," said a military spokesman in the southern Iraqi city of Basra on condition of anonymity.

"It is not unusual for the Royal Navy to be patrolling the Shatt al-Arab."

The Royal Navy has been training Iraqi personnel in coastal defence for several weeks on the waterway, and it is possible that the vessel out of radio contact was taking part in such an exercise.

[Herrmannek]

Go Brits :slap:

[Javehn]

Iranians Pwned (that's the correct way to write it ? :oops: ) British RM ? Good one ...

[DPGLAW]

Fortunately for the British, they and their Allies (US) are right in the area of Iran so if Iran dosen't want to play nice I have a feeling that Iran may end up meeting our new friend, Mr. Percision guided Weapon :)....It would be better if we could introduce Iran to Mr. MOAB..... :)

[Aussie E]

from http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9919163%255E1702,00.html

British commandos held by Iran
From Stefan Smith and Farhad Pouladi in Tehran
June 22, 2004
IRAN has seized three British naval patrol boats and detained eight sailors after they entered the Islamic republic's territorial waters on the Iraqi border.

"This morning, three British boats with eight people on board entered Iranian territorial waters. The Iranian navy, in accordance with their duties, seized these boats and arrested the crew," spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said.

"They are currently being interrogated and an investigation is under way."

Official sources said the small patrol boats were armed with heavy machine-guns, and identified the detained Britons as Royal Navy commandos.

"I don't know when they are going to be released," mr Asefi said.

"We have to clear up this matter. We are in contact with the British embassy."

A British military spokesman in neighbouring Iraq confirmed that "three small Royal Navy patrol boats and eight crew have been out of communication since the early hours of this morning".

"Their last known indication was to be in the Shatt al-Arab area, which is not unusual."

Playing it down as a "low-level incident", a Royal Navy spokesman at the defence ministry in London said the three small boats appeared to have "strayed into Iranian territory".

"These boats are used for training Iraqi river patrol service ... what we would call river police," said the spokesman, who was unable to specify if any Iraqis were on board.

"The waterway runs over a mile (1.6km) wide. The border runs pretty much down the middle of it ... Maybe, it was disputed whose side (of the border the vessels were on)."

The British embassy in Tehran said it was in touch with Iranian officials.

Iranian state television's Arabic-language channel, Al-Alam, said Iranian forces had also seized GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) devices, assault rifles, pistols, cameras and detailed maps of the Iran-Iraq border area.

The crew members had "confessed that they had made a mistake", Al-Alam said, adding it would show television footage of the British detainees later today.

British armed forces control a large area of southern Iraq around the city of Basra, and along with Iraqi security forces patrol parts of the Shatt al-Arab, mostly to combat smugglers and militants seeking to infiltrate Iraq and join the insurgency against the US-led coalition.

Contacts with Iranian troops along the border area have generally been described by British sources as cordial, and the latest incident is the most serious in the sensitive area since last year's US-led invasion of Iraq.

The Shatt al-Arab border demarcation was a constant source of dispute - and of conflict during the 1980-1988 war between Iran and Iraq - under Saddam Hussein, until a deal was struck for the frontier to run at the midway point.

Ties between Britain and Iran have been strained in recent months, with the embassy in Tehran being targeted by a string of angry demonstrations sparked by the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal as well as the entry of coalition troops into Iraq's holy Shiite cities.

During some of the protests, the embassy was pelted with stones and hit by home-made bombs.

Britain was also the co-sponsor of a resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency last week that heavily criticised Iran for failing to fully co-operate with an investigation into its suspect nuclear program.
Hopefully they will be released soon.
LEST WE FORGET

[A Soldier]

Now that I think about it, if Iran wanted to try and act out against the coalition this would be a somewhat smart time, the US and Britain are busy in Iraq and the President has an election coming up, and our troops are somewhat overworked ( well I'm not overworked but I havent completed training ;) ) Iran might be thinking that they can look powerful to other Arab countries by antagonizing the US and Britain. This also is stupid on their behalf b/c sooner or later were gonna deal with them.

[He219]

The Ministry of Defence can confirm that eight Royal navy personnel from the Royal Navy training team based in southern Iraq have been detained by the Iranian authorities while delivering a boat from Umm Qasr to Basrah. The team members were travelling in three boats (two Boston Whalers (http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/images/misc/river_police.jpg) and one British Army Combat Support Boat (http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20040621/i/r657714186.jpg)) along the Shatt al Arab waterway on 21 June. The boats were unarmed but the crews were carrying their personal weapons.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office is liaising with the Iranian Government to resolve the situation.
(MoD (http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/index.htm))

[cut]

The Ministry of Defence can confirm that eight Royal navy personnel from the Royal Navy training team based in southern Iraq have been detained by the Iranian authorities while delivering a boat from Umm Qasr to Basrah. The team members were travelling in three boats (two Boston Whalers (http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/images/misc/river_police.jpg) and one British Army Combat Support Boat (http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20040621/i/r657714186.jpg)) along the Shatt al Arab waterway on 21 June. The boats were unarmed but the crews were carrying their personal weapons.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office is liaising with the Iranian Government to resolve the situation.
(MoD (http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/index.htm))


the two boston whalers were being delivered to the iraqi river police when they were seized, the third boat I presume was an escort

[ShadowNeo]

Perhaps you Brits should leave Iranians alone...

This is second such incident. During Telic small group of Brits landed on Iranian side of Shat. Some reports say they were told where they are after which they apologised and left, some say there was some shooting with no casualties on either side.

I heard Iranians said that if this is due to navigational error Brits will be released soon.

How can you have a bloody navigation error if there is no solid, determined border on the waterway between Iran and Iraq?[/quote]

[Kilgor]

They better be very very careful how they handle this...

go iran

They better be very very careful how they handle this...

What the f are you talking about? Three UK vessels were captured by Iran, not Al Queda, if Iranian vessels were in on American waters, what the **** do you think we will do?

[J-10]

They better be very very careful how they handle this...

What the f are you talking about? Three UK vessels were captured by Iran, not Al Queda, if Iranian vessels were in on American waters, what the f*** do you think we will do?


The three small boats "strayed into Iranian territory", it's a accidental event, so don't worry it.

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

Its been stated on media outlets in the UK that the boats were 1km inside Iranian waters so the Iranians are a little pissed off to say the least, I think the whole thing will be resloved soon enough though.

[seruriermarshal]

They better be very very careful how they handle this...

What the f are you talking about? Three UK vessels were captured by Iran, not Al Queda, if Iranian vessels were in on American waters, what the f*** do you think we will do?


The three small boats "strayed into Iranian territory", it's a accidental event, so don't worry it.


Its been stated on media outlets in the UK that the boats were 1km inside Iranian waters so the Iranians are a little pissed off to say the least, I think the whole thing will be resloved soon enough though.

But I think , Iranian will connection it to nuclear weapon problem .

:roll:

[king_nothing100]

I like the fact that the Iranian media is playing up the fact that they had weapons, and radios on board, LOL. It's a fvcking Royal Marine patrol what they gonna be armed with water pistols? Showed you them on the news this morning, they had M16?/C7?'s and Minimi's.

They seriously don't want to be doing this: http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13135982,00.html
This is gonna bring a ****storm heading the Iranians way.

[Secret Squirrel]

I like the fact that the Iranian media is playing up the fact that they had weapons, and radios on board, LOL. It's a fvcking Royal Marine patrol what they gonna be armed with water pistols? Showed you them on the news this morning, they had M16?/C7?'s and Minimi's.

They seriously don't want to be doing this: http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13135982,00.html
This is gonna bring a ****storm heading the Iranians way.

a **** storm? so now Iran cant enforce its own borders? This kind of reminds me about a incident involving a couple underwater divers.

[ShadowNeo]

This is not a simple, clear cut situation where the ownership of territory is clearly shown. I don't know why some of you aren't picking this up, but on that particular waterway there is no solid border. When ITV news interviewed the marines on that same waterway last week, the opinion of where the border was, was "wherever you want it to be".

How can you be expected for a patrol to keep 100% within Iraqi territory when there isn't a border?

[king_nothing100]

a **** storm? so now Iran cant enforce its own borders? This kind of reminds me about a incident involving a couple underwater divers.

So I suppose you can tell me at every point on that waterway where this "border" is?

[Secret Squirrel]

a **** storm? so now Iran cant enforce its own borders? This kind of reminds me about a incident involving a couple underwater divers.

So I suppose you can tell me at every point on that waterway where this "border" is?

So I suppose you already know that the ships should have some kind of GPS system and in light of world events, have taken care not to do something stupid.

[seruriermarshal]

a **** storm? so now Iran cant enforce its own borders? This kind of reminds me about a incident involving a couple underwater divers.

So I suppose you can tell me at every point on that waterway where this "border" is?

So I suppose you already know that the ships should have some kind of GPS system and in light of world events, have taken care not to do something stupid.

Why you know ships should have some kind of GPS system ? You in that ships or you see those ships ?

:roll:

[SeanAshi]

So I suppose you already know that the ships should have some kind of GPS system and in light of world events, have taken care not to do something stupid.Fox News said the boats didn't have gps.

[Secret Squirrel]

So I suppose you already know that the ships should have some kind of GPS system and in light of world events, have taken care not to do something stupid.Fox News said the boats didn't have gps.

I didnt read anything in Fox's news report that even mentioned whether anyone was questioning if the RN sailors had GPS or not. Maybe you could point it out for me or i read the wrong report?

[SeanAshi]

I didnt read anything in Fox's news report that even mentioned whether anyone was questioning if the RN sailors had GPS or not. Maybe you could point it out for me or i read the wrong report?I'm looking for it now, but I didn't read about it, I seen it on TV Fox news channel.

[seruriermarshal]

So I suppose you already know that the ships should have some kind of GPS system and in light of world events, have taken care not to do something stupid.Fox News said the boats didn't have gps.

I didnt read anything in Fox's news report that even mentioned whether anyone was questioning if the RN sailors had GPS or not. Maybe you could point it out for me or i read the wrong report?


Then why you know ships should have some kind of GPS system ? You in that ships or you see those ships ?

:roll:

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

I am quite sure there is a border marked on nautical charts for this area considering Iran and Iraq's disputes over borders before. Some of you out there might think that crossing into another countries inshore territorial waters without clearance is no big deal but in real life it is and several hundred meters is all it takes for an arrest.
Military, fishing and survey vessels really have to be very cautious when operating near the territorial waters of another state, passenger and cargo vessels are usually cut a bit more slack.

[Gringo]

They showed a video showing the equipment they had on them when they were captured. Ths includes a M16, M16M203, and a Minimi. Now considering that those were with the RMs, and that the SA80 is standard issue to the RMs except for the Recce Troop which have armalites.

[Moledet]

I am quite sure there is a border marked on nautical charts for this area considering Iran and Iraq's disputes over borders before. Some of you out there might think that crossing into another countries inshore territorial waters without clearance is no big deal but in real life it is and several hundred meters is all it takes for an arrest.
Military, fishing and survey vessels really have to be very cautious when operating near the territorial waters of another state, passenger and cargo vessels are usually cut a bit more slack.
They want you to enter their teritorial water because then they can cry to the media. We have navy ship near the boarders with Egypt and Lebanon, so people will know that they are moving towards Israel's teritorial water. If they would care so much about you not passing the boarder they would have put their navy there.

[MolliG]

... they had M16?/C7?'s...
Was that in library footage, or actual footage from the 'event'?

[king_nothing100]

It was shown on the breakfast news and has been on all of the news programmes so far.

[aktarian]

They want you to enter their teritorial water because then they can cry to the media.

Then don't play their game and don't enter their territorial waters. :roll:



We have navy ship near the boarders with Egypt and Lebanon, so people will know that they are moving towards Israel's teritorial water. If they would care so much about you not passing the boarder they would have put their navy there.

It's a bloody river with probabaly several branches. You take one (or several) wrong turns and you end up in wrong country.

I wonder what would happen if situation would be reversed and IRIN ships would be captured on Iraqi side of Shat. Gun smuggling, helping insurgents, clear sign of Iranian interference etc would be mentioned. And everybody would praise bravery of people who captured them.....

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put news in this thread, the other one has a misleading title

[GrantT]

Was it really necessary to blind fold our soldiers?

[W(M)D]

Was it really necessary to blind fold our soldiers?

They got off lightly if all they got was blindfolded, I'm sure a lot worse can be expected from the Iranians if they wanted!

[Red]

Was it really necessary to blind fold our soldiers?
It was a heartbreaking picture,i taught the Iranains knew better than that but i see i was wrong.My heart goes out to those guys.THe british government needs to get those guys home right now.And it was this same Iran that was hit by a massive earthquake and the whole world including the Brits rushed to their help.How quick people forget the good you do for them.

[W(M)D]

And it was this same Iran that was hit by a massive earthquake and the whole world including the Brits rushed to their help.How quick people forget the good you do for them.

That was unfortunately 'yesterday's news', no longer 'currency' as it were.

[Secret Squirrel]

Was it really necessary to blind fold our soldiers?
It was a heartbreaking picture,i taught the Iranains knew better than that but i see i was wrong.My heart goes out to those guys.THe british government needs to get those guys home right now.And it was this same Iran that was hit by a massive earthquake and the whole world including the Brits rushed to their help.How quick people forget the good you do for them.

Can you blame Iran for enforcing their borders? Especially in light of the discussions that certain people/countries think that Iran is trying to build a nuke.

[aktarian]

Was it really necessary to blind fold our soldiers?

Is it really necessary to put hoods on Iraqis coalition troops arrest?

[ronin2172]

in this type of situation i thought the offending party was to intern military personell who stray into your territory (it happened to american pilots who crash landed on russian soil after bombing japan). Where does prosecution come into the equation. They r not smugglers, they were not caught at some ultra secret iranian facility...they r just some squaddies who made a navigational error....ok confiscate their boats, weapons and such but let them go. Blindfolding them is not helping matters any, Iran is just trying to make a meal out of this...

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

They want you to enter their teritorial water because then they can cry to the media. We have navy ship near the boarders with Egypt and Lebanon, so people will know that they are moving towards Israel's teritorial water. If they would care so much about you not passing the boarder they would have put their navy there.
Well I suppose the Iranians cannot be everywhere at once and I do not see this as a case of enticement. I see this as nothing more than navigational error or poor judgement, the Iranians are giving it the whole works and playing it out for all its worth as do many countries when an incident like this occurs.
Any of you people out there that has had fast boat experience will know how easy it is to veer off course very quickly its even worse in bad visibility when you cannot use onshore features to help you navigate.

[ShadowNeo]

From what I understand the Iranian ambassador to the UK has been trying to do all he can to get the servicemen freed.

There is however the problem with hard-liners in the Iranian government who could impede this, those who would rather not hold good relations with the UK, but only time will tell.

[-=P=-]

I don’t see a problem, they will be freed, as they are armed soldiers it must be done some investigations to clear that it really was only a navigational error, one this is done they will be freed.

That’s how such things are handled when there are problems the UN will say something.

[ibstolidude]

From what I understand the Iranian ambassador to the UK has been trying to do all he can to get the servicemen freed.

There is however the problem with hard-liners in the Iranian government who could impede this, those who would rather not hold good relations with the UK, but only time will tell.
IGRC does not give 2 ****s about some ambassabor, they really don't give 2 ****s about what the Iranian president has to say, they really don't often give two ****s about the Council of Ministers.

Currently (& prior to OIF) there is a large dispute between Iran and Iraq of Maritime boundaries, the dispute is unable to be resolved with out the IGC being solidified and full power returned to Iraq. Iran also seeks divisions of the Caspian Sea. It is likely that Iranian intelligence (highly capable) repeatedly observed Coalition movements along that route and seeks the opportunity to further legitimize it's claims in water boundaries by acting, as they pervieve themselves, as a lawful protectee of their soveirgn rights; and if they can garner further opinion supporting their strength and throw a little egg on Coalition faces, then all the better.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

If Iran is trying to get off the "Axis of Evil" list, this ain't the way to do it. They are behaving exactly as North Korea (another AoE member) did during the Pueblo incident. NK is not exactly the best role model to have.

It wouldn't surprise me to see these boats on "Patriotic Display" on some river in Iran. Look how we defeated the Infidels!

[Tane Angle]

Seems like maybe part of Iran wants off the "AoE" list and half want to reassert themselves. The theocrats probably enjoys being on such a list, but some of the more moderate politicans, bureaucrats, and hopeful businessmen don't.

The IGRC might sap this for all it's worth, but they're not stupid and they have extremely little to gain by killing the personnel. The IGRC has a different history and different motives than the various AQO-affiliates. Britain might have to trade, but the personnel have some of the best chances for survival that they could. My guess? Iran might want Britain to convince the US to leave their nuclear program alone, or they might want certain supplies and equipment. Even if Britain refuses (they might likely do so in regards to the nuclear program), the Iranians still would very, very likely not kill the personnel. They would just bargain down for something else, like maybe engine parts for aircraft. Have a good one, and just some thoughts...

[Aussie E]

from www.theaustralian.news.com.au
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,355079,00.jpg


Iran TV shows British troops
From correspondents in Tehran
June 22, 2004
IRAN'S state-run television today broadcast images of eight members of Britain's Royal Navy blindfolded after their arrest for straying into Iranian waters near Iraq.

The new footage broadcast by the Arabic-language satellite channel Al-Alam - a branch of the Islamic republic's official television network - showed the eight troops in a more uncomfortable position than shown in previous broadcasts.

The troops, detained yesterday by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, were shown sitting on the ground in a small room with their eyes covered by cloth. Their hands and feet were not bound, and they were dressed in military fatigues.

In previous images shown by the channel, the eight men were shown sitting on sofas in what appeared to be an office.

The channel also showed images of captured equipment, including an array of weapons, communication equipment and cameras.

[cut]

TEHRAN (*******) - Iranian television broadcast footage Tuesday of two British sailors arrested Monday on the Shatt al-Arab waterway apologizing for entering Iranian territorial waters.
"The team wrongly entered Iranian waters and we apologize for this mistake because it was a big mistake," one of the sailors, identified as Sergeant Thomas Hawkins, said in comments dubbed into Arabic and shown on Al-Alam television.

Hawkins, dressed in military fatigues, said his team of eight sailors had been one mile inside Iranian territorial waters when they were arrested by Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

Another sailor, chief petty officer Robert Webster, said the team had wrongly entered Iranian waters on a mission accompanying a vessel from Umm Qasr to Basra.

The arrest of the sailors threatened to cause a serious diplomatic rift between Iran and Britain. But an Iranian military official said they could soon be released if investigations show their incursion was not ill-intended.

The Royal Navy personnel appeared in blindfolds on Iranian television Tuesday and the British government summoned Iran's ambassador to London and called for their release.

Some Iranian media reports said the Britons were carrying sophisticated maps and arms and would be prosecuted, but Ali Reza Afshar, deputy head of the armed forces chief of staff, said they could be freed shortly.

© ******* 2004. All Rights Reserved.

[He219]

Some Iranian media reports said the Britons were carrying sophisticated maps and arms

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040622/capt.sge.gtw82.220604164736.photo03.default-384x266.jpg
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040622/capt.sge.gug78.220604172404.photo04.default-380x262.jpg

A TV grab taken from Iranian al-Alam satellite news channel shows equipment, including a vast array of weapons, communications equipment, GPS devices, night-vision goggles and cameras seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guards the day before along with eight members of Britain's Royal Navy on the Shaat al-Arab waterway that straddles the Iran-Iraq border

'Sophisticated' to the average Iranian perhaps?
;)

[Scrim]

Yep, look at that sophisticated sun-dial worn on the wrist.

[Aussie E]

from www.theaustralian.news.com.au

UK troops confess on Iran TV
From correspondents in Tehran
June 23, 2004
STATE television early today broadcast the confessions and apologies of two British officers from an eight-member Royal Navy team arrested for entering Iran's territorial waters on the southern border with Iraq.

"My name is Thomas Hawkins from the British Royal Navy, number D04428," said the first officer, who appeared to be reading from a prepared text.

"I was arrested yesterday by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards after we entered Iranian territorial waters," said the uniformed officer, according to a translation of the Arabic voice-over provided by the Al-Alam satellite news channel.

"Our team of three boats and eight crew entered Iranian waters by mistake. We apologise because this was a big mistake," he said.

The second officer, clearly reading from a prepared text, introduced himself as "Chief Petty Officer Robert Webster of the Royal Navy, number D987567 Alpha".

"The Iranian Revolutionary Guards stopped us in Iranian territorial waters. We accidentally entered Iranian waters."

[martinexsquaddie]

fortunatly they did'nt find the large cache of womens underwear and gay **** which is on most navy vessels rofl.
I suppouse we could always get delta force to rescue them on second thoughts may not :( :(

[SeanAshi]

Seems like maybe part of Iran wants off the "AoE" list and half want to reassert themselves.Its ok for Iran to call The United States the great satan, but when we labled them the axis of evill they get all bent out of shape.

[king_nothing100]

A TV grab taken from Iranian al-Alam satellite news channel shows equipment, including a vast array of weapons, communications equipment, GPS devices, night-vision goggles and cameras seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guards the day before along with eight members of Britain's Royal Navy on the Shaat al-Arab waterway that straddles the Iran-Iraq border

No doubt alot of that kit will go "missing".

[Merik]

Hey man lets bomb Iran!!! Gives me another job to do if we finally go to war with them. p-)

[king_nothing100]

I may of miss-heard the news but there was something about 40 Iranian's captured in Iraq to be traded for the 8 Royal Navy soldiers. I'm sure this is one of the few presumptions what the news came too, but I wouldn't want to know the response from us to them if they were ask for those 40 individuals back? :bash:

[BlackRain]

fortunatly they did'nt find the large cache of womens underwear and gay **** which is on most navy vessels rofl.
I suppouse we could always get delta force to rescue them on second thoughts may not :( :(


No, GROM is going to rescue them just like they rescue the other hostages.

I would love to see the debrief on these troops to see how they allowed themselves to be captured. Were they truly in Iranian waters? I doubt it. But, as they used to say in the Marines. The only way the enemy can have my weapon is when I am dead and it is out of ammunition.

We American's learned the hard way about being "guests" of the Islamist Iranian government.

[Durandal]

What the f are you talking about? Three UK vessels were captured by Iran, not Al Queda, if Iranian vessels were in on American waters, what the f*** do you think we will do?

Ummm, I hate to break it to you man but hundreds of nations enter our territorrial waters every year...

Don't get all "Iran is the victim" on us here...

The question is...who, within their government has them. The politicos or the zeolots.

[BlackRain]

The Iranians, members of the United Nations, have violated the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea in this case.

The Charter of the United Nations requires all Members of the Organization to settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security are not endangered. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea builds on this commitment by providing a compulsory and binding framework for the peaceful settlement of all related disputes.

Example:

SECTION 3. INNOCENT PASSAGE IN THE TERRITORIAL SEA


SUBSECTION A. RULES APPLICABLE TO ALL SHIPS



Article17

Right of innocent passage

Subject to this Convention, ships of all States, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.


Article18

Meaning of passage

1. Passage means navigation through the territorial sea for the purpose of:

(a) traversing that sea without entering internal waters or calling at a roadstead or port facility outside internal waters; or

(b) proceeding to or from internal waters or a call at such roadstead or port facility.

2. Passage shall be continuous and expeditious. However, passage includes stopping and anchoring, but only in so far as the same are incidental to ordinary navigation or are rendered necessary by force majeure or distress or for the purpose of rendering assistance to persons, ships or aircraft in danger or distress.

Article19

Meaning of innocent passage

1. Passage is innocent so long as it is not prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the coastal State. Such passage shall take place in conformity with this Convention and with other rules of international law.

2. Passage of a foreign ship shall be considered to be prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the coastal State if in the territorial sea it engages in any of the following activities:

(a) any threat or use of force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of the coastal State, or in any other manner in violation of the principles of international law embodied in the Charter of the United Nations;

(b) any exercise or practice with weapons of any kind;

(c) any act aimed at collecting information to the prejudice of the defence or security of the coastal State;

(d) any act of propaganda aimed at affecting the defence or security of the coastal State;

(e) the launching, landing or taking on board of any aircraft;

(f) the launching, landing or taking on board of any military device;

(g) the loading or unloading of any commodity, currency or person contrary to the customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary laws and regulations of the coastal State;

(h) any act of wilful and serious pollution contrary to this Convention;

(i) any fishing activities;

(j) the carrying out of research or survey activities;

(k) any act aimed at interfering with any systems of communication or any other facilities or installations of the coastal State;

(l) any other activity not having a direct bearing on passage.

SUBSECTION C. RULES APPLICABLE TO WARSHIPS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT SHIPS OPERATED FOR NON-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES

Article 29
Definition of warships
For the purposes of this Convention, "warship" means a ship belonging to the armed forces of a State bearing the external marks distinguishing such ships of its nationality, under the command of an officer duly commissioned by the government of the State and whose name appears in the appropriate service list or its equivalent, and manned by a crew which is under regular armed forces discipline.

Article 30
Non-compliance by warships with the laws and
regulations of the coastal State
If any warship does not comply with the laws and regulations of the coastal State concerning passage through the territorial sea and disregards any request for compliance therewith which is made to it, the coastal State may require it to leave the territorial sea immediately.

[Durandal]

The Iranians, members of the United Nations, have violated the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea in this case.

Damn, I was in the middle of adding this all to my previous post. You beat me to it.

Fantastic!

Anyways...you nailed it! ;)

If Iran is trying to get off the "Axis of Evil" list, this ain't the way to do it. They are behaving exactly as North Korea (another AoE member) did during the Pueblo incident. NK is not exactly the best role model to have.

It wouldn't surprise me to see these boats on "Patriotic Display" on some river in Iran. Look how we defeated the Infidels!

your so stupid, the british vessels strayed into Iranian waters and because of national safety, they captured these vessels, once everything is understood and that they know that the brits weren't going to do anything, they will be freed.... God, I hate I people think if America captures some ships in American waters it's ok, but if any other country captures america's or british ships, it's an act of terrorism,....

[BlackRain]

your so stupid, the british vessels strayed into Iranian waters and because of national safety, they captured these vessels, once everything is understood and that they know that the brits weren't going to do anything, they will be freed.... God, I hate I people think if America captures some ships in American waters it's ok, but if any other country captures america's or british ships, it's an act of terrorism,....

Hey jackass, do you know for a FACT that the Brits were in territorial waters of Iran? Hmmm... I don't think so.

Even, if the Brits did cross over the boundry line into Iranian waters, the Iranians have violated international law in capturing them.

your so stupid, the british vessels strayed into Iranian waters and because of national safety, they captured these vessels, once everything is understood and that they know that the brits weren't going to do anything, they will be freed.... God, I hate I people think if America captures some ships in American waters it's ok, but if any other country captures america's or british ships, it's an act of terrorism,....

Hey jackass, do you know for a FACT that the Brits were in territorial waters of Iran? Hmmm... I don't think so.

Even, if the Brits did cross over the boundry line into Iranian waters, the Iranians have violated international law in capturing them.

http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/ssc/consult/ehong/pics2/Haha!.jpg

[OB Kenobi]

Even, if the Brits did cross over the boundry line into Iranian waters, the Iranians have violated international law in capturing them.

International law, eh? How ironic.

[seruriermarshal]

your so stupid, the british vessels strayed into Iranian waters and because of national safety, they captured these vessels, once everything is understood and that they know that the brits weren't going to do anything, they will be freed.... God, I hate I people think if America captures some ships in American waters it's ok, but if any other country captures america's or british ships, it's an act of terrorism,....

Hey jackass, do you know for a FACT that the Brits were in territorial waters of Iran? Hmmm... I don't think so.

Even, if the Brits did cross over the boundry line into Iranian waters, the Iranians have violated international law in capturing them.

http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/ssc/consult/ehong/pics2/Haha!.jpg

Why you send this pic ? I believe that you can't answer BlackRain .

So :bash:

[Secret Squirrel]

your so stupid, the british vessels strayed into Iranian waters and because of national safety, they captured these vessels, once everything is understood and that they know that the brits weren't going to do anything, they will be freed.... God, I hate I people think if America captures some ships in American waters it's ok, but if any other country captures america's or british ships, it's an act of terrorism,....

Hey jackass, do you know for a FACT that the Brits were in territorial waters of Iran? Hmmm... I don't think so.

Even, if the Brits did cross over the boundry line into Iranian waters, the Iranians have violated international law in capturing them.

Iran doesnt have a right to detain illegal vessels in their waters and to investigate why they are there?

2. Passage of a foreign ship shall be considered to be prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the coastal State if in the territorial sea it engages in any of the following activities:

(a) any threat or use of force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of the coastal State, or in any other manner in violation of the principles of international law embodied in the Charter of the United Nations;

(c) any act aimed at collecting information to the prejudice of the defence or security of the coastal State;

(d) any act of propaganda aimed at affecting the defence or security of the coastal State;

Damn, i guess the coast guard isnt allowed to stop suspected smugglers anymore. Someone better inform them that they've been breaking international law eh? rofl Oh and no more stopping illegal immigrants...guess we'll have to wait until they land before taking them into custody? rofl You've made the assumption that Iran knew exactly why the boats were in their waters. But lets try and look at the larger situation. Iran has been condemned by various nations, including the U.S and Britain, for its attempts to get nuclear power (and by some arguments, they think Iran is trying to develop a nuke). Now, there is a large force comprising both U.S and British troops just across one of their borders. Wouldnt that make you a little jumpy if you were Iran and a couple boats entered your water? Also, Iran could also be a little paranoid about the waterway simply because Bush wants Iraq to succeed (so do I, and this isnt a bash against Bush). This waterway has been a long standing issue with Iraq/Iran. So maybe, somewhere along the lines, Iran is a little concerned over losing more rights in this particular area. But, above all, Iran is simply making a show of force; it's saying that even though there a vast number of coalition troops across it's border, it's not going to just lie down and let its territorial rights be disregarded.

[Operation Ivy]

Damn Future Marine i dont remember u being so stupid/an asshole

Damn Future Marine i dont remember u being so stupid/an asshole

thanks

[OB Kenobi]

Well, it's all over...


Tehran has released eight British naval crewmen who were arrested Monday after straying into Iranian territorial waters, Britain's Sky News reported.

Diplomats in Tehran said earlier the eight would be handed over to a joint mission of British and Iranian diplomats in Khuzestan province in southwest Iran.


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=721&e=1&u=/nm/20040623/wl_nm/britain_iran_dc

Now, here's the more interesting part:

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040623/capt.sge.hao80.230604110307.photo01.default-384x265.jpg


A TV grab from Iranian al-Alam satellite news channel shows equipment, including a vast array of weapons, communications equipment, GPS devices, night-vision goggles and cameras seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guards along with eight members of Britain's Royal Navy on the Shaat al-Arab waterway that straddles the Iran-Iraq border. Iran could release the eight-member unit later June 23(AFP/Al-Alam)

So is that equipment authentic, or are the Iranians lying? If it's authentic, then maybe these marines were... wait for it... SBS! ;)

[OB Kenobi]

Well, it's all over...


Tehran has released eight British naval crewmen who were arrested Monday after straying into Iranian territorial waters, Britain's Sky News reported.

Diplomats in Tehran said earlier the eight would be handed over to a joint mission of British and Iranian diplomats in Khuzestan province in southwest Iran.


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=721&e=1&u=/nm/20040623/wl_nm/britain_iran_dc

Now, here's the more interesting part:

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040623/capt.sge.hao80.230604110307.photo01.default-384x265.jpg


A TV grab from Iranian al-Alam satellite news channel shows equipment, including a vast array of weapons, communications equipment, GPS devices, night-vision goggles and cameras seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guards along with eight members of Britain's Royal Navy on the Shaat al-Arab waterway that straddles the Iran-Iraq border. Iran could release the eight-member unit later June 23(AFP/Al-Alam)

So is that equipment authentic, or are the Iranians lying? If it's authentic, then maybe these marines were... wait for it... SBS! ;)

[cut]

http://www.warshipsifr.com/media/royal-marines2.jpg

oh look OB, a royal marine with a C7 must be SBS to right? :cantbeli:

[aktarian]

your so stupid, the british vessels strayed into Iranian waters and because of national safety, they captured these vessels, once everything is understood and that they know that the brits weren't going to do anything, they will be freed.... God, I hate I people think if America captures some ships in American waters it's ok, but if any other country captures america's or british ships, it's an act of terrorism,....

Hey jackass, do you know for a FACT that the Brits were in territorial waters of Iran? Hmmm... I don't think so.

Do you know for a FACT that they weren't?

[Gringo]

Well, it's all over...


Tehran has released eight British naval crewmen who were arrested Monday after straying into Iranian territorial waters, Britain's Sky News reported.

Diplomats in Tehran said earlier the eight would be handed over to a joint mission of British and Iranian diplomats in Khuzestan province in southwest Iran.


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=721&e=1&u=/nm/20040623/wl_nm/britain_iran_dc

Now, here's the more interesting part:

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040623/capt.sge.hao80.230604110307.photo01.default-384x265.jpg


A TV grab from Iranian al-Alam satellite news channel shows equipment, including a vast array of weapons, communications equipment, GPS devices, night-vision goggles and cameras seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guards along with eight members of Britain's Royal Navy on the Shaat al-Arab waterway that straddles the Iran-Iraq border. Iran could release the eight-member unit later June 23(AFP/Al-Alam)

So is that equipment authentic, or are the Iranians lying? If it's authentic, then maybe these marines were... wait for it... SBS! ;)

they're not SBS!

Royal Marines and Royal Navy

And I find it a little sad getting your hopes up that they are SBS, as if they would've been SBS they'd be kicked out of the SBS.

[cut]

Well, it's all over...


Tehran has released eight British naval crewmen who were arrested Monday after straying into Iranian territorial waters, Britain's Sky News reported.

Diplomats in Tehran said earlier the eight would be handed over to a joint mission of British and Iranian diplomats in Khuzestan province in southwest Iran.


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=721&e=1&u=/nm/20040623/wl_nm/britain_iran_dc

Now, here's the more interesting part:

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040623/capt.sge.hao80.230604110307.photo01.default-384x265.jpg


A TV grab from Iranian al-Alam satellite news channel shows equipment, including a vast array of weapons, communications equipment, GPS devices, night-vision goggles and cameras seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guards along with eight members of Britain's Royal Navy on the Shaat al-Arab waterway that straddles the Iran-Iraq border. Iran could release the eight-member unit later June 23(AFP/Al-Alam)

So is that equipment authentic, or are the Iranians lying? If it's authentic, then maybe these marines were... wait for it... SBS! ;)

they're not SBS!

Royal Marines and Royal Navy

And I find it a little sad getting your hopes up that they are SBS, as if they would've been SBS they'd be kicked out of the SBS.

Although they did have C7, but still think it's unlikely that some of them might be SBS

[Gringo]

Well, it's all over...


Tehran has released eight British naval crewmen who were arrested Monday after straying into Iranian territorial waters, Britain's Sky News reported.

Diplomats in Tehran said earlier the eight would be handed over to a joint mission of British and Iranian diplomats in Khuzestan province in southwest Iran.


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=721&e=1&u=/nm/20040623/wl_nm/britain_iran_dc

Now, here's the more interesting part:

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040623/capt.sge.hao80.230604110307.photo01.default-384x265.jpg


A TV grab from Iranian al-Alam satellite news channel shows equipment, including a vast array of weapons, communications equipment, GPS devices, night-vision goggles and cameras seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guards along with eight members of Britain's Royal Navy on the Shaat al-Arab waterway that straddles the Iran-Iraq border. Iran could release the eight-member unit later June 23(AFP/Al-Alam)

So is that equipment authentic, or are the Iranians lying? If it's authentic, then maybe these marines were... wait for it... SBS! ;)

they're not SBS!

Royal Marines and Royal Navy

And I find it a little sad getting your hopes up that they are SBS, as if they would've been SBS they'd be kicked out of the SBS.

Although they did have C7, but still think it's unlikely that some of them might be SBS

probably Recce troop then.

[ash933]

I don't think they're all bootnecks, so I doubt it's a recce troop.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3831715.stm

[He219]

Where the heck do you see C7's in that pic. They look like SA80's to me along with an FN Minimi Para in the back.

And SBS guys would navigate a lot better whilst delivering new Iraqi rowboats ...
;)

Not to mention:

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040623/capt.sge.gxh39.230604002959.photo03.default-384x275.jpg

The flag of the HQ3 Commandos Royal Marines seized by Iran on the Shatt al-Arab waterway.

Look at his sleeve:

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20040622/i/r2840909804.jpg

p-)

[todd]

Hey, guess what, they're neither SBS, FSRT, or any other such specialist unit. They are an RN Chief Petty Officer, an RM Sgt, 5 Royal Marines and a sailor from the Royal Navy Training Team, who are training the Iraqi Coastal Defence Froce in Basrah.

They were delivering a "boston whaler" which is a civvy patrol boat, to the Iraqi Riverine Police Service (IRPS) from UQ to Basrah, and were accompanied by two combat support boats (CSB), which were the larger green boats with a small cockpit on the front. The CSB is not an RM boat, they belong to the Royal Engineers, and are a kind of workhorse. Looks like they were pulled over by Iranian IRGCN troops and probably thought they would soon be on their way again.

The US type weapons on display were quoted by Sky TV as being from earlier footage of an american team's border incident. The more recent pictures show quite clearly that the RN/RM team carried SA80s and a para minimi, which is all bog standard stuff, as were the radios, GPS, HMNVS (night vision kit), boarding helmets, torches etc.

The funniest comment I read today was an Iranian quote which says that their special flag (an RN white ensign) marked them out to be special forces!

[Gringo]

The US type weapons on display were quoted by Sky TV as being from earlier footage of an american team's border incident. The more recent pictures show quite clearly that the RN/RM team carried SA80s and a para minimi, which is all bog standard stuff, as were the radios, GPS, HMNVS (night vision kit), boarding helmets, torches etc.

that explains the images of the M16s etc. Did the Iranians keep the equipment in the end?



The funniest comment I read today was an Iranian quote which says that their special flag (an RN white ensign) marked them out to be special forces!

rofl rofl
Media are so stupid rofl

[todd]

probably Recce troop then

Recce Troop in commando units have used SA80 since the late eighties. Brigade recce have used SA80 since late 2002 when the SA80A2 came out and all their M16 variants went back.

[todd]

Did the Iranians keep the equipment in the end?

The latest news (and I'm only watching TV, same as most) is that the Iranians want to keep all the kit, which would be a pain in the arse. I think the UK should press for it's release, but naturally the blokes are the first priority.

[cut]

Where the heck do you see C7's in that pic. They look like SA80's to me along with an FN Minimi Para in the back.

And SBS guys would navigate a lot better whilst delivering new Iraqi rowboats ...
;)

Not to mention:

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040623/capt.sge.gxh39.230604002959.photo03.default-384x275.jpg

The flag of the HQ3 Commandos Royal Marines seized by Iran on the Shatt al-Arab waterway.

Look at his sleeve:

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20040622/i/r2840909804.jpg

p-)

I saw them in another pic or in the actual footage in the news, but they were clearly C7 straight on...

[He219]

^ I think todd answered that one, cut .. ;)

Thanks, todd! Say, do you have any info on that previous american incident that you wrote Sky news reported?
:D

Click to enlarge:
http://cache.*****images.com/thumb/50988826.jpg?x=x&a=50988826&b=afp&t=1 (http://cache.*****images.com/comp/50988826.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=D5C980AC33A35615F8DD6FB66141F04EA9C30E9B9B114CE8)http://cache.*****images.com/thumb/50988817.jpg?x=x&a=50988817&b=afp&t=1 (http://cache.*****images.com/comp/50988817.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=D5C980AC33A356153908F43E3CD05108A9C30E9B9B114CE8)
http://cache.*****images.com/thumb/50988822.jpg?x=x&a=50988822&b=afp&t=1 (http://cache.*****images.com/comp/50988822.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=D5C980AC33A356159AFDD614818FDDD1A9C30E9B9B114CE8)http://cache.*****images.com/thumb/50988815.jpg?x=x&a=50988815&b=afp&t=1 (http://cache.*****images.com/comp/50988815.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=D5C980AC33A356156715BEAC11973187A9C30E9B9B114CE8)

A TV grab taken from Al-Alam TV station, the Arabic-language satellite news channel run by Iran's state television network, shows 23 June 2004 British troops paraded with blindfolds on the banks of the Shatt al-Arab waterway where they were detained 21 June 2004. The eight British servicemen were arrested for straying into Iranian waters in the Shatt al-Arab waterway which straddles the border between Iran and British-occupied southern Iraq. The Iranian authorities have confirmed to Britain that eight British servicemen detained will be released later today, a spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair said.

[-=P=-]

I also see no problem with the blindfolding, isn’t that normal when foreign soldiers are to be taken to a military base, such things are sensitive.

I'm sure Iran will release the equipment, as it was said that the boats will also be release, maybe a little bit later to investigate the equipment.

[cut]

Hey, guess what, they're neither SBS, FSRT, or any other such specialist unit. They are an RN Chief Petty Officer, an RM Sgt, 5 Royal Marines and a sailor from the Royal Navy Training Team, who are training the Iraqi Coastal Defence Froce in Basrah.

They were delivering a "boston whaler" which is a civvy patrol boat, to the Iraqi Riverine Police Service (IRPS) from UQ to Basrah, and were accompanied by two combat support boats (CSB), which were the larger green boats with a small cockpit on the front. The CSB is not an RM boat, they belong to the Royal Engineers, and are a kind of workhorse. Looks like they were pulled over by Iranian IRGCN troops and probably thought they would soon be on their way again.

The US type weapons on display were quoted by Sky TV as being from earlier footage of an american team's border incident. The more recent pictures show quite clearly that the RN/RM team carried SA80s and a para minimi, which is all bog standard stuff, as were the radios, GPS, HMNVS (night vision kit), boarding helmets, torches etc.

The funniest comment I read today was an Iranian quote which says that their special flag (an RN white ensign) marked them out to be special forces!

what the iranians said at first was even funnier, that they had captured 8 special forces who had uniforms with a link to a satellite.

if Sky are right about the M16 it would seem to make sense..


^ I think todd answered that one, cut .. ;)

right-oh He! I'm being a bit sluggish today

[UoUo]

I have a que...iran have GPS? i mean...what GPS network they can use?

The only one is American no?

[todd]

Thanks, todd! Say, do you have any info on that previous american incident that you wrote Sky news reported?


Sorry, I don't. It was just mentioned about lunchtime yesterday on sky - later they showed some footage of a US civilian, surrounded by three US servicemen and claimed it was part of this incident, but that clearly was the earlier one as well.

[He219]

I have a que...iran have GPS? i mean...what GPS network they can use?

The only one is American no?
Yes (http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/gps/gps_f.html). Everyone else is a freeloader ...
Just kidding. Allied forces share military applications threof.
p-)

[Secret Squirrel]

I have a que...iran have GPS? i mean...what GPS network they can use?

The only one is American no?

1- GPS or Global Positioning System is a guiding satellite system working by a network of 24 satellites orbiting the Earth GPS was designed primarily for military aims, but in the 1980s public access was also considered GPS works properly in all weather conditions, all of the Earth and during day and night 2- Global Positioning System is the only system that can locate your position on the Earth precisely in any weather condition and any time The 24 satellites of GPS are at the 11000-mile orbit and are controlled by some stations on the Earth The satellites emit signals that can be received by anyone on the Earth with a GPS Receiver Using the receiver, you can locate your position very precisely.

http://www.gisdevelopment.net/professional/catview.asp?cou=Iran&cat=GPS <---list of Iran's GPS professionals (apparently some of them have yahoo email addresses...kind of makes me question if the site is legit, but you can email them and try asking any questions you might have; you never know, you might get a response).

[He219]

Related to the GPS tangent topic:
;)
US, EU finalise satellite navigation deal (http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=157276)



Back on track:


"The eight British sailors, including six soldiers and two ranking military officials, have been released," a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told The Associated Press. State-run TV reported that the sailors, who were detained Monday, would leave Iran without the boats and some unspecified equipment.

"It became clear for us that the detained British military men had no ill-intention and they will be released on Wednesday," state television quoted Kharrazi as saying.

A delegation of British diplomats has already arrived in Khuzestan in southwest Iran for the handover and were headed to Bandar Mahshahr, a petrochemical center.

"We have just landed in Ahvaz," a diplomat said, speaking from the provincial capital of Khuzestan, the oil-rich province on the Iraqi border. They traveled from the Iranian capital Tehran.

The Iranian TV report said an Iranian delegation headed by Ali Ahani, in charge of European and American affairs at the Foreign Ministry, would arrive in the area on Wednesday evening.

The report, quoting its correspondent, said the servicemen were from special forces in the British Navy, adding their three boats and equipment including satellite positioning systems, small cameras and detailed maps would stay in Iranian naval custody.

http://www.*******.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5494298

[BlackRain]

Damn, i guess the coast guard isnt allowed to stop suspected smugglers anymore. Someone better inform them that they've been breaking international law eh? rofl Oh and no more stopping illegal immigrants...guess we'll have to wait until they land before taking them into custody? rofl You've made the assumption that Iran knew exactly why the boats were in their waters. But lets try and look at the larger situation. Iran has been condemned by various nations, including the U.S and Britain, for its attempts to get nuclear power (and by some arguments, they think Iran is trying to develop a nuke). Now, there is a large force comprising both U.S and British troops just across one of their borders. Wouldnt that make you a little jumpy if you were Iran and a couple boats entered your water? Also, Iran could also be a little paranoid about the waterway simply because Bush wants Iraq to succeed (so do I, and this isnt a bash against Bush). This waterway has been a long standing issue with Iraq/Iran. So maybe, somewhere along the lines, Iran is a little concerned over losing more rights in this particular area. But, above all, Iran is simply making a show of force; it's saying that even though there a vast number of coalition troops across it's border, it's not going to just lie down and let its territorial rights be disregarded.

Your difficulty in grasping the situation is understandable since you are failing to distinquish between civilian and military flagged vessels.

You can stop and inspect civilan vessels but you can only request that military vessels leave your territorial waters.

Hence, the different treatment under the laws of the seas.



let its territorial rights be disregarded

And again, you can not assume that this is the case as the Brits were "forced to confess" under duress. Simply, put. The Iranians violated international maritime law in this incident. Additionally, they violated the Geneva Convention in displaying these Brits on TV for political/public relations/propoganda purposes.

[Secret Squirrel]

Additionally, they violated the Geneva Convention in displaying these Brits on TV for political/public relations/propoganda purposes.

Britain isnt at war with Iran, so they werent P.O.Ws. But hell who hasnt violated the GC in the past year or 2? Should be interesting to see if the blanket immunity is removed which expires, i believe, at the end of June. I'll get back to you on the other points, you may be right regarding the warships but just for the sake of nit-picking, i'll have a look myself.

[Yes Man]

Well they did pretty much what I expected them to do. They caught British troops (it could have been anyone) in their waters, putting them in the 'right' when they captured them. They then held on to them, just to make an issue out of it. Then after a short time they released them, which shows the world that they are not the 'bad guys'. Rightfully so this will probably gain them a few points in the international community. Its all just politics, I can't think of any country that would not have done the same, given the situation.