April 02, 2007

Iran Claims All 15 UK Hostages Confess

UPDATE: Video Now Released

From the Times Online:

Iran claimed this morning that all 15 British military personnel seized in the Gulf ten days ago have now admitted illegally entering Iranian waters.

New footage was then shown of six more sailors, meaning the majority of the captured personnel have now been paraded and seen "confessing" on Iranian television. Their voices could not be heard.

The broadcast, the morning after two more televised "confessions" from British personnel, a Royal Navy Lieutenant and a Royal Marines Captain, drew an angry reaction from Downing Street, which said the repeated airings would not alter Britain's position in the crisis and that the next move must come from Tehran.

President Bush on Saturday stated his support for the British and said the Iran must return the 15 sailors and Marines:

President Bush on Saturday said Iran's capture of 15 British sailors and marines was "inexcusable" and called for Iran to "give back the hostages" immediately and unconditionally.

Bush said Iran plucked the sailors out of Iraqi waters. Iran's president said on Saturday they were in Iranian waters and called Britain and its allies "arrogant and selfish" for not apologising for trespassing.

Meanwhile, Iran was taking offense to President Bush referring to the captives as hostages:

"Any kind of comment by the Americans in support of the British Government will make the situation worse," said Mohammed Ali Hoseyni, a Foreign Ministry spokesman. "Hence, it would be best for the American president to refrain from making ill-judged, nontechnical and nonrational remarks."
By at 08:03 AM | |