Blair: Sailors were not in Iranian waters

HMS Cornwall 'in Iraqi waters'

Monday, 26, Mar 2007 12:00

The UK government is absolutely "confident" the 15 British soldiers detained by Iran were in Iraqi waters.

Downing Street insisted today the Navy personnel captured at gunpoint on Friday had not been in Iran's shipping lanes, despite Tehran claiming the sailors had "confessed to illegally entering" the country's waters.

The government has evidence which makes it "utterly confident" this is not the case, the prime minister's official spokesman said this morning, adding the government is unable to disclose this evidence.

Speaking to journalists in Berlin, Tony Blair insisted the eight sailors and seven marines had not strayed into Iranian waters and their capture was "unjustified and wrong". Amid reports the Iranian government is considering bringing charges against the personnel, Mr Blair said he hoped Tehran understands the "fundamental" nature of the issue.

"There is no doubt at all that these people were taken from a boat in Iraqi waters," he said. "It is simply not true that they went into Iranian territorial waters, and I hope the Iranian government understands how fundamental an issue this is for us."

Mr Blair added: "We have certainly sent the message back to them very clearly indeed. They should not be under any doubt at all about how seriously we regard this act, which is unjustified and wrong."

Foreign Office minister Lord Triesman confirmed his department is in continued negotiations with the Iranian authorities and has insisted they are released immediately.

The 15 personnel were captured on Friday while conducting routine anti-smuggling investigations in the Gulf on behalf of the Iraqi government. Iran has refused to reveal where the sailors are being held but insists they are safe and well.