QuoteFifteen 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 the group was on a routine patrol in Iraqi waters and were understood to be unharmed.

But Iranian state television quoted the Iran foreign ministry as saying they had illegally entered Iranian waters.

The Associated Press news agency is quoting US Navy official, Commander Kevin Aandahl, as saying that Irans Revolutionary Guard were responsible.

Mr Aandahl is also reported as saying the naval force had told them in a radio message that the British were not harmed.

More http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6484279.stm

Bomb them!

this is all we need, fuel for Bush and Blair.

If the sailors were within Iranian borders, then Iran was following the letter of the law. They havent been harmed at any rate. Last thing Iran wants to do is give Blush a reason to bomb. Well see how it comes out in the wash.

thing is... theres a good chance there not just sailros and are doing a bit of spying etc... why else would Iran bother themselvs and add fuel to the fire ?

you would have thought that the navy would have the equipment on board to defend themselves against an apparently hostile boarding of their ship?

British navy claim they were in Iraqi waters, not Iranian.

Either way its bloody dangerous for Iran if this gets out of hand, Bush is itching to launch an attack on Iran. Blair would prefer the troops out before the handover to Brown.

Quote from: DEViANCEyou would have thought that the navy would have the equipment on board to defend themselves against an apparently hostile boarding of their ship?

To do so may have caused a far worse incident, chances are they were on one or more lightly armed patrol boat(s).

Quote from: DEViANCEyou would have thought that the navy would have the equipment on board to defend themselves against an apparently hostile boarding of their ship?

They were in inflatables operating some way off HMS Cornwall. They didnt board the warship. And what would Cornwall have done even if she were in range? Sunk one of the hostile ships? Fired warning shots? Iran will just capitalise on any acts of aggression taken even if it is in self defence and profit from it.

but then again.... they could have well been accidently on purpouse sent there for this to happen and turn into a big deal?

The navy boarded the iranian ship

Not the iranians boarding the warship.

Chances are it was a light guard, and 2 inspectors or something similar. All theyd need to have happen is a bunch of blokes with AKs come out of the woodwork and theyd be screwed.

Quote from: knightybut then again.... they could have well been accidently on purpouse sent there for this to happen and turn into a big deal?

They are boarding ships in Iraqi waters every day as a standard part of patrolling the area.

Britain Here Gave the Iranian Ambassador proof that the boats were in Iraq Waters - Satalite footage as well as data and some information from A helicopter as it was there for support

Quote from: M3ta7h3adChances are it was a light guard, and 2 inspectors or something similar. All theyd need to have happen is a bunch of blokes with AKs come out of the woodwork and theyd be screwed.

The Brits were leaving the ship when they were taken prisoner so it was probably clear. 15 marines in a pair of semi-inflatables wouldnt stand much chance against Iraqi patrol boats.

The sailors have been seemingly been taken to Tehran. A claim was made that they had confessed to crossing into Iranian water. TBH I dont like where this is going.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6491577.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6491581.stm

Iran is just swinging its dick again.

They pulled the same stunt in 2004 on the shat al arab waterway and then released the sailors and marines 3 days later (having  faced mock executions)

This time it should be even more clear cut - the shat al arab is a narrow water way - on the open sea however it is fairly easy to show they were in Iraqi waters.

They really are trying it on though - they know that there is very little political support for attacking Iran - so they can get away with pushing the boundaries a bit - supplying weapons to shai groups in the south, kidnapping British personnel, conducting operations in Iraq etc..etc..

The fact is though, there may not be support, there wasnt for iraq either though, and nothing would make bush happier than another war.

Iran are just baiting them, they want to look the victim.