This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6489493.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Talks focus on UK sailors' fate UK pushes for release of sailors
(about 2 hours later)
Talks are continuing to try to end the dispute between the UK and Iran over the seizure at gunpoint of 15 Royal Navy personnel in the Gulf.Talks are continuing to try to end the dispute between the UK and Iran over the seizure at gunpoint of 15 Royal Navy personnel in the Gulf.
The UK says the eight sailors and seven marines had been carrying out routine duties in Iraqi waters and has called for their immediate release.The UK says the eight sailors and seven marines had been carrying out routine duties in Iraqi waters and has called for their immediate release.
But Tehran said it had made a "firm protest" about an "illegal entry" into Iranian waters by the navy personnel.But Tehran said it had made a "firm protest" about an "illegal entry" into Iranian waters by the navy personnel.
Diplomats have held talks in Tehran and London since Friday's incident.Diplomats have held talks in Tehran and London since Friday's incident.
The personnel, who are thought to be unharmed, were seized after boarding a boat in the Gulf.The personnel, who are thought to be unharmed, were seized after boarding a boat in the Gulf.
Ibrahim Rahimpour, Iran's director general for Western European affairs, said he had met the UK's charge d'affaires, Kate Smith, in Tehran.
HMS CORNWALL FACTS Multi-national force flagship in the northern Gulf Type 22 frigateCrew: 250 (Max 301)Length: 148.1m / 485.9ftSpeed: 30 knots Source: Royal Navy Profile of HMS Cornwall Ex-detainee 'concerned' Tense backdrop to incidentHMS CORNWALL FACTS Multi-national force flagship in the northern Gulf Type 22 frigateCrew: 250 (Max 301)Length: 148.1m / 485.9ftSpeed: 30 knots Source: Royal Navy Profile of HMS Cornwall Ex-detainee 'concerned' Tense backdrop to incident
He said in a statement that he had delivered a "firm protest from Iran against the illegal entry of British sailors into Iranian territorial waters". The seized Britons were from HMS Cornwall, based in Plymouth - the flagship of the coalition-Iraqi force which patrols Iraqi territorial waters in the northern Gulf to combat smuggling.
The statement added: "They were arrested by border guards for investigation and questioning." Its commander, Commodore Nick Lambert, said they had been inspecting an Iraqi boat before clearing its skipper to continue with his business.
When they returned to their two small boats, they were "promptly arrested".
The helicopter then saw the British boats being moved along the Shatt al-Arab waterway to Iranian bases, Cmdr Lambert said.
There had been no evidence of fighting, he added.
Mr Rahimpour accused British sailors of having illegally entered Iranian waters "a number of times".
The Royal Navy and UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett denied the personnel from HMS Cornwall, which has its home port in Plymouth, had sailed into Iranian waters.
Mrs Beckett demanded their immediate and safe return.
HMS Cornwall's area of operationsHMS Cornwall's area of operations
She said: "We understand that they were in two boats that were operating in Iraqi waters in accordance with the Security Council Resolution 1723 in support of the government of Iraq to stop smuggling." Ibrahim Rahimpour, Iran's director general for Western European affairs, said he had met the UK's charge d'affaires, Kate Smith, in Tehran.
The personnel would have been in boats similar to those picturedThe personnel would have been in boats similar to those pictured
She said Iran's ambassador to the UK, Rasoul Movahedian, had met Foreign Office officials for a "brisk but polite" discussion on Friday afternoon. He said in a statement that he had delivered a "firm protest from Iran against the illegal entry of British sailors into Iranian territorial waters".
HMS Cornwall is currently the flagship of the joint coalition-Iraqi Combined Task Force 158 responsible for patrolling Iraqi territorial waters in the northern Gulf. UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett - who had a "brisk and polite" meeting with Iran's ambassador to London on Friday - demanded the immediate and safe return of the captured personnel.
Its commander, Commodore Nick Lambert, said he had "absolutely no doubt" the vessel had been in Iraqi waters, adding that it could be "a simple misunderstanding at the tactical level". The US military said it had been monitoring Iran's Revolutionary Guards - an elite fighting force appointed by the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - "for years now" in Iraqi territorial waters.
The US military said it had been monitoring the movement of Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The incident comes as the UN Security Council is due to vote in New York on whether to impose further sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme.
US Navy spokesman Commander Kevin Aandahl told the BBC: "They were in Iraqi territorial waters.
"We have been operating in those waters for years now. We know what the territorial lines are, we respect those territorial lines and we expect the Iranians to respect those territorial lines as well."
The incident comes at a time of renewed tensions with Iran over its nuclear programme.
It also follows claims that much of the violence against UK forces in Basra is being engineered by Iranian elements, which Tehran denies.It also follows claims that much of the violence against UK forces in Basra is being engineered by Iranian elements, which Tehran denies.
FAMILY INFORMATION LINE 0845 7800 900 Timeline: UK-Iran relationsFAMILY INFORMATION LINE 0845 7800 900 Timeline: UK-Iran relations
BBC world affairs correspondent, Ian Pannell, who is on board HMS Cornwall, said the mood on the ship was "quiet and determined" and that everybody had rallied together. On Wednesday, Ayatollah Khamenei warned that if Iran's enemies wanted to use force and violence, then Iranians would use any means to strike back.
"The aspiration here is that this will be over sooner rather than later," he said. BBC world affairs correspondent, Ian Pannell, who is on board HMS Cornwall, said the mood on the ship was "quiet and determined" and that "the aspiration here is that this will be over sooner rather than later".
"I think certainly the hope of the commanding officers is the events which have taken place here are possibly some kind of accident. It is a long holiday period in Iran so there has been little public comment so far.
"Certainly they're hoping in the next 24 to 48 hours to get some positive news."
In 2004, Iran detained eight British servicemen for three days after they allegedly strayed over the maritime border.In 2004, Iran detained eight British servicemen for three days after they allegedly strayed over the maritime border.
The UK claimed the men were "forcibly escorted" into Iranian territorial waters.
The men were paraded blindfolded and made to apologise on Iranian TV before their release was agreed.The men were paraded blindfolded and made to apologise on Iranian TV before their release was agreed.
Return to topReturn to top