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UK sees promise in Iran contacts UK sees promise in Iran contacts
(about 5 hours later)
Tony Blair believes Iran wants to achieve an "early resolution" to the crisis over the Royal Navy crew through direct talks, Downing Street has said.Tony Blair believes Iran wants to achieve an "early resolution" to the crisis over the Royal Navy crew through direct talks, Downing Street has said.
A statement was issued late on Tuesday after further UK contact with Iran, including directly with its chief negotiator Ali Larijani. A statement was issued after further UK contact with Iran, including directly with its chief negotiator Ali Larijani.
The UK had proposed direct bilateral talks and awaited a response, it said. Iran's parliament speaker welcomed the "change in tone" after the UK proposed direct bilateral talks.
However, both countries continue to dispute whether the 15 crew were in Iran's waters when seized on 23 March.However, both countries continue to dispute whether the 15 crew were in Iran's waters when seized on 23 March.
"The prime minister remains committed to resolving this by diplomatic means," Downing Street's statement stressed. "The prime minister remains committed to resolving this by diplomatic means," Downing Street's statement said.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is to hold a news conference later to mark the Persian New Year, at which he is thought likely to talk about the incident.
Meanwhile, reports say Iranian representatives are expected to meet five Iranians detained by US forces in Iraq since January for the first time.
The report from Iran's official IRNA news agency, which was not confirmed by the US, comes amid suggestions that the navy crew's case could be improved by a release.
Iran says the five are diplomats, while the US claims the men were providing support to militants in Iraq.
'Encouraging signs''Encouraging signs'
It came hours after Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett had urged caution over hopes that the sailors and marines held by Iran may soon be freed. Downing Street's statement came after Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett had urged caution over hopes that the sailors and marines held by Iran may soon be freed.
She said people had read a lot into remarks by the prime minister earlier in the day about talks with Iran entering a "critical" 48 hours.She said people had read a lot into remarks by the prime minister earlier in the day about talks with Iran entering a "critical" 48 hours.
Profile: UK captivesProfile: UK captives
BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall said No 10's statement appeared to be an encouraging sign. On Tuesday, new photographs were released showing the Royal Navy crew.
And the fact it was released late on Tuesday suggested officials were "excited" about progress, she said.
In other developments on Tuesday, new photographs were released showing the Royal Navy crew.
The crew, from Plymouth-based HMS Cornwall, can be seen wearing tracksuits, smiling and playing chess.The crew, from Plymouth-based HMS Cornwall, can be seen wearing tracksuits, smiling and playing chess.
Leading Seaman Faye Turney, 26, is not wearing a headscarf as she had in previous TV footage.Leading Seaman Faye Turney, 26, is not wearing a headscarf as she had in previous TV footage.
Dual aimsDual aims
The naval personnel have been held captive since being seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the northern Gulf last month.The naval personnel have been held captive since being seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the northern Gulf last month.
Iran says they strayed into its territorial waters, but the UK maintains they were in Iraqi waters after returning from searching a merchant vessel.Iran says they strayed into its territorial waters, but the UK maintains they were in Iraqi waters after returning from searching a merchant vessel.
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 waters Both versions in more detail Dividing lines of Shatt al-ArabUK 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 Both versions in more detail Dividing lines of Shatt al-Arab
In comments before No 10's statement, Mr Blair said the UK had two aims - firstly to make Iran understand that "the pressure is there" and secondly to ensure the "door is open" to diplomacy.In comments before No 10's statement, Mr Blair said the UK had two aims - firstly to make Iran understand that "the pressure is there" and secondly to ensure the "door is open" to diplomacy.
He added if "peaceful, calm negotiation" was not possible, the UK would have to take "increasingly tougher decisions".He added if "peaceful, calm negotiation" was not possible, the UK would have to take "increasingly tougher decisions".
The prime minister spoke after Mr Larijani hinted to Iranian state radio that a new phase in the talks with the UK had begun.The prime minister spoke after Mr Larijani hinted to Iranian state radio that a new phase in the talks with the UK had begun.
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 Profile: Ali Larijani Iran's centres of powerIRANIAN 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 Profile: Ali Larijani Iran's centres of power
"If they continue this path they can change the situation logically... in such a way that the issue is resolved," he said."If they continue this path they can change the situation logically... in such a way that the issue is resolved," he said.
But Iranian Vice President Parviz Davoudi insisted the UK still had to admit its personnel had crossed into Iran's waters.
"Certainly if Britain accepts that they have illegally trespassed into Iran, and guarantee that they won't repeat it, the issue will obviously become negotiable and can be resolved through a rational process," he said.
Hossein Shariatmadari, editor of Iranian newspaper Keyhan, said talk of a critical 48 hours by Mr Blair was "laughable".
"They have been giving us deadlines since the revolution and they have never been able to achieve any," he said.
Bush backing
Foreign Office Minister Lord Triesman has had talks with the Iranian ambassador in London eight times since the crew's capture.Foreign Office Minister Lord Triesman has had talks with the Iranian ambassador in London eight times since the crew's capture.
It is understood that one area under discussion between the two countries is how future disputes over the contested Shatt al-Arab waterway may be avoided.It is understood that one area under discussion between the two countries is how future disputes over the contested Shatt al-Arab waterway may be avoided.
US President George Bush has described the crew's capture as "indefensible" and said he backed the UK's efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully.
There have been suggestions that the crew's case could be improved by the release of five Iranian officials held by the US since January.
The BBC's Jim Muir, in Baghdad, said senior Iraq officials were negotiating with the US embassy and the US military over the issue.