March 29, 2007

New Threats to British Hostages in Iran

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While protesters in Tehran demanded the execution of the 15 British sailors and Marines abducted last week in Iraqi waters, the Iranian government warned the UK that it's "wrong behaviour" was jeopardizing the chances of seeing the captives released:

He said: "We said that the grounds were ready for the release of a woman among the British sailors. But if we are faced with a fuss and wrong behaviour then this would be suspended and it would not take place,"

If Britain follows through with its policies on the 15 Devonport-based sailors and marines detained by Iran on Friday, Mr Larijani said “this case may face a legal path” - a reference to Iran’s prosecuting the sailors in court.

The statement has come after Britain asked the UN Security Council to support a call for the immediate release of the detainees, saying in a statement they were operating in Iraqi waters under a mandate from the Security Council and at the request of Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Iranian consul in the Iraqi city of Basra accused the British troops there of intimidation tactics:

Increasing the tension, the Iranian consul in Bassra charged that British soldiers had surrounded his office in the southern Iraqi city this morning and fired shorts into the air in a "provocative act" that "could worsen the situation of the British sailors".

"British forces should rely on wisdom and not react because of the British forces’ detention. This reflects negatively on bilateral relations," said Consul-General Mohammed Ridha Nasir Baghban.

Britain denied the allegation. The Ministry of Defence said that the was an exchange of gunfire after UK troops on a foot patrol near the consulate building were ambushed.

UPDATE: Blair: Britain won't negotiate with Iran


UPDATE II: New Footage Released on Iranian TV

By at 09:26 AM | |