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US rejects Iran captives exchange US rejects Iran captives exchange
(about 7 hours later)
US officials have ruled out a deal to exchange 15 Royal Navy personnel captured in the Gulf for five Iranians seized by American forces in Iraq.US officials have ruled out a deal to exchange 15 Royal Navy personnel captured in the Gulf for five Iranians seized by American forces in Iraq.
State department spokesman Sean McCormack rejected suggestions that a swap could be made.State department spokesman Sean McCormack rejected suggestions that a swap could be made.
The five, believed to be members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, were seized in January in the Iraqi city of Irbil.The five, believed to be members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, were seized in January in the Iraqi city of Irbil.
Britain denies Iran's claims that the UK crew were in its waters when seized on 23 March.Britain denies Iran's claims that the UK crew were in its waters when seized on 23 March.
DelicateDelicate
The five Iranians were captured in a raid along with equipment which the Americans say shows clear Iranian links to networks supplying Iraqi insurgents with technology and weapons.The five Iranians were captured in a raid along with equipment which the Americans say shows clear Iranian links to networks supplying Iraqi insurgents with technology and weapons.
US officials have condemned Iran's actions and publicly supported the UK.US officials have condemned Iran's actions and publicly supported the UK.
Second 'apology' in full Second 'apology' in full class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6509581.stm">Faye Turney's 'letters'
But the BBC's James Coomerasamy said they are otherwise seeking to stay out of the dispute.But the BBC's James Coomerasamy said they are otherwise seeking to stay out of the dispute.
A Pentagon spokesman said the stand-off was a "delicate situation at a critical stage".A Pentagon spokesman said the stand-off was a "delicate situation at a critical stage".
Earlier, Prime Minister Tony Blair condemned Iran for "parading" the UK crew on television in a way which would only "enhance people's sense of disgust".Earlier, Prime Minister Tony Blair condemned Iran for "parading" the UK crew on television in a way which would only "enhance people's sense of disgust".
In a broadcast on Iranian television, sailor Nathan Thomas Summers said: "I would like to apologise for entering your waters without permission."In a broadcast on Iranian television, sailor Nathan Thomas Summers said: "I would like to apologise for entering your waters without permission."
He was shown alongside two colleagues, including Leading Seaman Faye Turney, 26, from Shropshire, who was broadcast apologising to Iran earlier in the week.He was shown alongside two colleagues, including Leading Seaman Faye Turney, 26, from Shropshire, who was broadcast apologising to Iran earlier in the week.
On Friday a third letter, allegedly from LS Turney, was released on Friday in which she said she had been "sacrificed" to UK and US government policy.On Friday a third letter, allegedly from LS Turney, was released on Friday in which she said she had been "sacrificed" to UK and US government policy.
Faye Turney's letters
The BBC has been able to confirm the names of six of the 15 captured sailors and marines.The BBC has been able to confirm the names of six of the 15 captured sailors and marines.
Along with LS Turney and Nathan Summers, who is from Cornwall, they are Paul Barton from Southport, Danny Masterton from Ayrshire, Joe Tindall from south London and Adam Sperry from Leicester.Along with LS Turney and Nathan Summers, who is from Cornwall, they are Paul Barton from Southport, Danny Masterton from Ayrshire, Joe Tindall from south London and Adam Sperry from Leicester.
European Union foreign ministers called for "the immediate and unconditional release" of the sailors and expressed "unconditional support" for Britain's position.European Union foreign ministers called for "the immediate and unconditional release" of the sailors and expressed "unconditional support" for Britain's position.
SolutionSolution
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett described the latest footage as "quite appalling" and "blatant propaganda".UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett described the latest footage as "quite appalling" and "blatant propaganda".
She also disclosed there was nothing in a formal letter from the Iranians to the UK that suggested they were looking for a solution to "this difficult situation".She also disclosed there was nothing in a formal letter from the Iranians to the UK that suggested they were looking for a solution to "this difficult situation".
The note condemned the navy's "illegal act" and demanded guarantees against "the recurrence of such acts" in the future.The note condemned the navy's "illegal act" and demanded guarantees against "the recurrence of such acts" in the future.
UK VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Crew boards merchant ship 1.7NM inside Iraqi waters2 HMS Cornwall was south-east of this, and inside Iraqi waters3 Iran tells UK that merchant ship was at a different point, still within Iraqi waters4 After UK points this out, Iran provides alternative position, now within Iranian watersUK VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Crew boards merchant ship 1.7NM inside Iraqi waters2 HMS Cornwall was south-east of this, and inside Iraqi waters3 Iran tells UK that merchant ship was at a different point, still within Iraqi waters4 After UK points this out, Iran provides alternative position, now within Iranian waters
In the latest video, Nathan Summers says: "Since we've been arrested in Iran our treatment has been very friendly.In the latest video, Nathan Summers says: "Since we've been arrested in Iran our treatment has been very friendly.
"We have not been harmed at all. They've looked after us really well."We have not been harmed at all. They've looked after us really well.
"The food they've been serving us is good and I am grateful that no harm has come to us."The food they've been serving us is good and I am grateful that no harm has come to us.
IRANIAN VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Royal Navy crew stray 0.5km inside Iranian waters 2 Iran gives set of co-ordinates to back up their claims 3 According to seized GPS equipment, the Royal Navy crew had previously entered Iranian waters at several other points 4 Iran informs Britain of the position where the crew were seized, inside Iranian waters Both versions in more detailIRANIAN VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Royal Navy crew stray 0.5km inside Iranian waters 2 Iran gives set of co-ordinates to back up their claims 3 According to seized GPS equipment, the Royal Navy crew had previously entered Iranian waters at several other points 4 Iran informs Britain of the position where the crew were seized, inside Iranian waters Both versions in more detail
"I would just like to apologise for entering your waters without permission. And that happened back in 2004, and the government promised that it wouldn't happen again."I would just like to apologise for entering your waters without permission. And that happened back in 2004, and the government promised that it wouldn't happen again.
Earlier, the UN Security Council voiced "grave concern" at Iran's actions in a statement.Earlier, the UN Security Council voiced "grave concern" at Iran's actions in a statement.
But it stopped short of "deploring" Iran's action, as the UK requested.But it stopped short of "deploring" Iran's action, as the UK requested.
The Britons, based on HMS Cornwall, were seized by Revolutionary Guards as they returned from searching a vessel in the northern Gulf.The Britons, based on HMS Cornwall, were seized by Revolutionary Guards as they returned from searching a vessel in the northern Gulf.