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Caution urged over Iran captives UK sees promise in Iran contacts
(10 minutes later)
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has urged caution over hopes that the 15 sailors held by Iran may soon be freed. Tony Blair believes the UK and Iran both want to use direct talks to achieve an early resolution to the navy crew crisis, Downing Street has said.
She said people had read a lot into remarks by the Prime Minister in which he said the next two days would be a "critical" phase in talks. Its comments came after further contact with Tehran, including directly with security chief Ali Larijani.
Meanwhile, Downing Street officials said direct contact had been made with Iranian security chief Ali Larijani. "The prime minister remains committed to resolving this by diplomatic means," it said in a statement.
They said Tony Blair believed both sides wanted "early resolution" of the issue through "direct talks". "The UK has proposed direct bilateral discussions and awaits an Iranian response on when these can begin."
The statement came after a day in which Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett had urged caution over hopes that the 15 sailors held by Iran may soon be freed.
She said people had read a lot into remarks by the prime minister in which he said the next two days would be a "critical" phase in talks.
Meanwhile, new photographs have been released showing the Royal Navy crew in casual clothes.Meanwhile, new photographs have been released showing the Royal Navy crew in casual clothes.
Iran accuses them of straying into its waters on 23 March. The British insist they were in Iraqi territory.Iran accuses them of straying into its waters on 23 March. The British insist they were in Iraqi territory.
Mrs Beckett said "we should be cautious in thinking that we're likely to see a swift solution in this issue... diplomatic efforts continue".Mrs Beckett said "we should be cautious in thinking that we're likely to see a swift solution in this issue... diplomatic efforts continue".
'Discussions preferred''Discussions preferred'
She added that "some people have read a lot into the prime minister's remarks".She added that "some people have read a lot into the prime minister's remarks".
She stressed the prime minister was "not intending to imply anything about military action" and pointed out the UK shares Iran's "preference for bi-lateral discussions".She stressed the prime minister was "not intending to imply anything about military action" and pointed out the UK shares Iran's "preference for bi-lateral discussions".
Profile: UK captivesProfile: UK captives
Earlier, Mr Blair said that, from the start of talks with Iran, Britain had two tracks - firstly to make Iran understand that "the pressure is there", and secondly that the "door is open" to diplomacy.Earlier, Mr Blair said that, from the start of talks with Iran, Britain had two tracks - firstly to make Iran understand that "the pressure is there", and secondly that the "door is open" to diplomacy.
Later, he added that if "peaceful, calm negotiation" to get the crew back was not possible the UK would have to take "increasingly tougher decisions".Later, he added that if "peaceful, calm negotiation" to get the crew back was not possible the UK would have to take "increasingly tougher decisions".
He spoke after Ali Larijani, of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, hinted that a new phase in the talks with Britain had been started.He spoke after Ali Larijani, of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, hinted that a new phase in the talks with Britain had been started.
'Talks beginning''Talks beginning'
Mr Larijani, who is also Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, told Iranian state radio: "The British government has started some diplomatic talks with the Iranian Foreign Ministry. They are only at the beginning.Mr Larijani, who is also Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, told Iranian state radio: "The British government has started some diplomatic talks with the Iranian Foreign Ministry. They are only at the beginning.
"If they continue this path they can change the situation logically... in such a way that the issue is resolved.""If they continue this path they can change the situation logically... in such a way that the issue is resolved."
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
But, later on Tuesday Iranian Vice President Parviz Davoudi called on Britain to accept that its personnel had crossed into Iran's waters.But, later on Tuesday Iranian Vice President Parviz Davoudi called on Britain to accept that 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."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.
The Foreign Office Minister Lord Triesman was on Tuesday night again in talks with the Iranian ambassador in London - their eighth meeting since the British crew were seized on March 23.The Foreign Office Minister Lord Triesman was on Tuesday night again in talks with the Iranian ambassador in London - their eighth meeting since the British crew were seized on March 23.
Also on Tuesday Iran released new photographs of some of the crew, including Leading Seaman Faye Turney, showing them wearing casual clothes for the first time.Also on Tuesday Iran released new photographs of some of the crew, including Leading Seaman Faye Turney, showing them wearing casual clothes for the first time.
In one photo some of the Royal Navy personnel are shown sitting on the floor wearing tracksuits and smiling.In one photo some of the Royal Navy personnel are shown sitting on the floor wearing tracksuits and smiling.
'Very distressing''Very distressing'
LS Turney is not wearing a headscarf as she has in previous TV footage released by the Iranians.LS Turney is not wearing a headscarf as she has in previous TV footage released by the Iranians.
Another picture shows two members of the crew playing chess.Another picture shows two members of the crew playing chess.
Meanwhile, the names of some more of the service personnel being held have been confirmed.Meanwhile, the names of some more of the service personnel being held have been confirmed.
The BBC can confirm that Leading Seaman Christopher Coe, from the Dalton area of Huddersfield, is among the captives.The BBC can confirm that Leading Seaman Christopher Coe, from the Dalton area of Huddersfield, is among the captives.
And the family of Operator Maintainer Simon Massey, who is also being held, said they were going through a "very distressing time" at the moment.And the family of Operator Maintainer Simon Massey, who is also being held, said they were going through a "very distressing time" at the moment.
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
Meanwhile, the family of Royal Marine Joe Tindall have said they are "immensely proud" of him.Meanwhile, the family of Royal Marine Joe Tindall have said they are "immensely proud" of him.
US President George Bush described the Iranian seizure of the crew as "indefensible".US President George Bush described the Iranian seizure of the crew as "indefensible".
"I support the Blair government's attempts to solve this issue peacefully," he said."I support the Blair government's attempts to solve this issue peacefully," he said.
There have been suggestions that the release of five Iranian officials held by the US since January could positively affect the navy personnel's case.There have been suggestions that the release of five Iranian officials held by the US since January could positively affect the navy personnel's case.
The BBC's Jim Muir, in Baghdad, said senior Iraqi officials were working separately to secure the release of the British crew and the five Iranians held by the US.The BBC's Jim Muir, in Baghdad, said senior Iraqi officials were working separately to secure the release of the British crew and the five Iranians held by the US.
The UK insists the 15 Britons were in Iraqi waters after returning from searching a merchant vessel.The UK insists the 15 Britons were in Iraqi waters after returning from searching a merchant vessel.
It is understood that one area that has been under discussion between the UK and Iran is how future disputes over the contested waters may be avoided.It is understood that one area that has been under discussion between the UK and Iran is how future disputes over the contested waters may be avoided.
Previously unseen images of some of the crew, based on HMS Cornwall, were aired on Monday but their voices could not be heard.Previously unseen images of some of the crew, based on HMS Cornwall, were aired on Monday but their voices could not be heard.
One of those seen for the first time was 20-year-old Arthur Batchelor, whose sister told the BBC she was relieved to see him looking "tired but fine".One of those seen for the first time was 20-year-old Arthur Batchelor, whose sister told the BBC she was relieved to see him looking "tired but fine".
The Foreign Office is standing by its view that the crew, serving on HMS Cornwall, which is based in Plymouth, were detained against their will in Iraqi territory.The Foreign Office is standing by its view that the crew, serving on HMS Cornwall, which is based in Plymouth, were detained against their will in Iraqi territory.