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/world/middle_east/6528235.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
British sailors set to come home British sailors set to come home
(about 2 hours later)
The 15 Royal Navy crew held captive by Iran are preparing to fly home after being freed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a "gift" to the UK.The 15 Royal Navy crew held captive by Iran are preparing to fly home after being freed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a "gift" to the UK.
They have met the British ambassador to Iran, Geoffrey Adams, and are expected to fly back to the UK within hours. They have met the British ambassador and are expected to leave Tehran at around 0800 local time (0530 BST).
After 13 days in custody, several of the crew spoke on Iranian television to say thank you for their release.After 13 days in custody, several of the crew spoke on Iranian television to say thank you for their release.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said the homecoming would be "a profound relief" to the personnel and their families.Prime Minister Tony Blair said the homecoming would be "a profound relief" to the personnel and their families.
The Foreign Office confirmed on Wednesday night that the crew were in good health, but were "still with the Iranians".The Foreign Office confirmed on Wednesday night that the crew were in good health, but were "still with the Iranians".
They are expected to be formally handed over to the British embassy early on Thursday. The father of one of the captives, Robin Air, said his son Chris and his colleagues were expected to arrive at Heathrow Airport around midday.
Earlier, one of the captives, Lt Felix Carman, told Iranian television: "To the Iranian people, I can understand why you were insulted by our apparent intrusion into your waters. Earlier, another crewman, Lt Felix Carman, told Iranian television: "To the Iranian people, I can understand why you were insulted by our apparent intrusion into your waters.
HAVE YOUR SAY Of course diplomacy worked, it was a diplomatic incident Colin Campbell, Stockholm, Sweden Send us your comments Families' joy and reliefHAVE YOUR SAY Of course diplomacy worked, it was a diplomatic incident Colin Campbell, Stockholm, Sweden Send us your comments Families' joy and relief
"I'd like to say that no harm was meant to Iranian people or its territories whatsoever, and that I hope that this experience will help to build the relationship between our countries.""I'd like to say that no harm was meant to Iranian people or its territories whatsoever, and that I hope that this experience will help to build the relationship between our countries."
The only woman in the group, Leading Seaman Faye Turney, said: "Apologies for our actions, but many thanks for having it in your hearts to let us go free."The only woman in the group, Leading Seaman Faye Turney, said: "Apologies for our actions, but many thanks for having it in your hearts to let us go free."
Both said they had been well treated by their captors.Both said they had been well treated by their captors.
Speaking at a news conference, Mr Ahmadinejad repeated Iran's view that the crew had "invaded" Iranian waters, but said they were being freed as a "gift" to Britain.Speaking at a news conference, Mr Ahmadinejad repeated Iran's view that the crew had "invaded" Iranian waters, but said they were being freed as a "gift" to Britain.
So you came on a mandatory vacation? Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to the navy personnel Ahmadinejad excerpts Ending it with a flourish US welcomes releaseSo you came on a mandatory vacation? Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to the navy personnel Ahmadinejad excerpts Ending it with a flourish US welcomes release
"I'm asking Mr Blair to not put these 15 personnel on trial because they admitted they came to Iranian territorial water," he added, referring to taped "confessions" made by the British sailors and marines."I'm asking Mr Blair to not put these 15 personnel on trial because they admitted they came to Iranian territorial water," he added, referring to taped "confessions" made by the British sailors and marines.
Britain says the crew were in Iraqi waters under a UN mandate when they were captured and says the confessions were extracted under duress.Britain says the crew were in Iraqi waters under a UN mandate when they were captured and says the confessions were extracted under duress.
Mr Ahmadinejad said no concessions had been made by the British government to secure the releases, but that Britain had pledged "that the incident would not be repeated".Mr Ahmadinejad said no concessions had been made by the British government to secure the releases, but that Britain had pledged "that the incident would not be repeated".
Later, television pictures showed the president smiling, chatting and shaking hands with the crew at his palace in Tehran.Later, television pictures showed the president smiling, chatting and shaking hands with the crew at his palace in Tehran.
An unidentified crew member said: "I'd like to say that myself and my whole team are very grateful for your forgiveness. I'd like to thank yourself and the Iranian people... Thank you very much, sir."An unidentified crew member said: "I'd like to say that myself and my whole team are very grateful for your forgiveness. I'd like to thank yourself and the Iranian people... Thank you very much, sir."
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
Prime Minister Tony Blair said Britain's approach to the crisis had been "firm but calm - not negotiating but not confronting either".Prime Minister Tony Blair said Britain's approach to the crisis had been "firm but calm - not negotiating but not confronting either".
He did not thank or address the Iranian president, but said to the Iranian people: "We bear you no ill will. On the contrary, we respect Iran as an ancient civilisation, as a nation with a proud and dignified history."He did not thank or address the Iranian president, but said to the Iranian people: "We bear you no ill will. On the contrary, we respect Iran as an ancient civilisation, as a nation with a proud and dignified history."
However, Paul Carman, the father of Lt Carman, criticised Tony Blair's handling of the hostage crisis saying: "I've been very disappointed and in some cases extremely angered by what I regard as risible attempts at bravado, absolutely ridiculous school boy diplomacy."However, Paul Carman, the father of Lt Carman, criticised Tony Blair's handling of the hostage crisis saying: "I've been very disappointed and in some cases extremely angered by what I regard as risible attempts at bravado, absolutely ridiculous school boy diplomacy."
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 watersIRANIAN 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
But the BBC's Frances Harrison in Tehran said speculation was likely to continue over whether the release had anything to do with developments in Iraq.But the BBC's Frances Harrison in Tehran said speculation was likely to continue over whether the release had anything to do with developments in Iraq.
There, an Iranian envoy has reportedly been given access to five Iranians captured by US forces and a kidnapped diplomat was released on Tuesday.There, an Iranian envoy has reportedly been given access to five Iranians captured by US forces and a kidnapped diplomat was released on Tuesday.