Iran releases British sailors

Iran releases ‘pardoned’ British sailors

Iran releases ‘pardoned’ British sailors

The 15 British sailors detained by Iran on March 23rd are to be released.

Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced at a press conference today that he would pardon the naval crew as a gift to the British people. He called on the British government not to punish the seven sailors and eight marines for their “confessions”.

The UK has maintained throughout the crisis that the 15 sailors were taken from Iraqi waters where they were operating under a UN mandate. Iran insists the personnel were trespassing in Iranian waters and has recorded “confessions” from each of the 15 detailing where they were.

UK officials seemed surprised by the apparent release and Downing Street was initially cautious in interpreting the timing and meaning of Mr Ahmadinejad’s statement. As late as Wednesday morning, the foreign secretary Margaret Beckett cautioned people not to expect any sudden resolution to the situation.

Following confirmation of the release, the prime minister Tony Blair welcomed the news.

Aping the Iranian’s reference to the British people, Mr Blair addressed the Iranians. “We bear you no ill will,” he said. “On the contrary we respect Iran as an ancient civilisation. The disagreements we have with your government we wish to resolve peacefully through dialogue.”

Early reports suggest the sailors could be flown back to the UK as early as Thursday lunchtime.

The surprise announcement of the sailor’s release followed the first official talks between Iran and the UK. Iranian media reported Tony Blair’s adviser Nigel Sheinwald had spoken directly to Iran’s chief international negotiator Ali Larijani.

Syria also confirmed on Wednesday that it was mediating in the crisis and Mr Blair later thanked “friends in the region” for their part in diplomatic talks, alongside European allies and the UN security council.

Both the US and the UK have denied there could be any quid pro quo over the hostages. Following the press conference, Mr Blair said the UK had not “negotiated” with Iran but had “not confronted either”. Officials have taken a measured approach that was “firm but fair,” he said.

However, Iranian media reports claim Iranian representatives are to meet with the five Iranians detained by the US in Iraq. The US claimed they were members of the Revolutionary Guard, but Tehran insisted they were in the country as diplomats.

Additionally Iranian diplomat Jalal Sharafi, abducted in Baghdad in February, was released yesterday.

While pardoning the sailors, President Ahmadinejad insisted the UK was at fault. Aside from the sailors’ alleged “trespass” into Iranian waters, the president took the opportunity to criticise the UK’s involvement in the Middle East.

The UK and US had invaded Iraq on the false premise it had weapons of mass destruction, he argued, and have now brought “misery” and “destruction” to the world.

“The occupation forces continue to stay there and people are still being killed,” Mr Ahmadinejad continued.

The president added no one appeared willing to “stand up and defend the rights of those oppressed”; in a statement likely to increase speculation Iran is attempting to assert its power in the region.

In his hour-long address preceding news of the sailor’s release, Mr Ahmadinejad praised the members of the Revolutionary Guard who detained the 15 navy personnel nearly two weeks ago.

“On behalf of the Iranian people, I want to thank … the commander who managed to arrest the people who entered our waters,” the president said, before awarding them medals of honour.

Both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives welcomed news of the release. “We look forward to welcoming them home quickly and safely,” said shadow foreign secretary William Hague, in comments echoed by Sir Menzies Campbell.

With the issue of territorial boundaries in the Gulf still unresolved, attentions are already turning to how a repeat of the alleged “trespassing” can be avoided.

The Ministry of Defence declined to comment what form these investigations could take. Shadow defence minister Liam Fox agreed: “There will be questions to be asked about this whole episode, but I think it would be prudent to restrict our comments and our questions until all our personnel are back in the UK.”