Iran to release British sailors

[Omaha Steve]

Source: The International News

LONDON: Iran said on Wednesday that 15 captured British sailors, including a woman, would be freed on Wednesday or Thursday.

According to the NBC TV, the Islamic republic, showing flexibility in its stance, has indicated the release of 15 British sailors. Iran insisted that the British sailors were held from Iranian waters, but added it was possible that they entered the Iranian waters mistakenly.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki termed it an open violation of Iran's naval boundaries by the British sailors, adding the crewmembers also admitted their illegal entry into the Iranian waters.

Meanwhile, the Iranian embassy in London in a statement said the government of United Kingdom and Iran could solve the crisis with mutual cooperation. It vowed that the standoff would be settled peacefully.

Read more: http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=6817

[robinlynne]

1. great! I was hoping for this result.

[tulsakatz]

2. cool!!!

At least they're willing to discuss it before just bombing the hell out of the place!

[truthisfreedom]

3. Ooh, bushco is going to be sooooo pissed that they can't use this as an excuse to invade Iran...

I can hear cheney cursing from here.

[Megahurtz]

7. LOL Totally!!!

:rofl:

[Cobalt-60]

8. its like the music of the spheres

[Miss Chybil]

4. Well, shoot. CNN had this big plan on this morning about how somebody could

go in there with fighter planes and such and rescue the sailors - if they knew where they were. The networks must be devasted. Nobody's going to blow anything up.

[Solo_in_MD]

6. Its not over yet, Iran is placing impossible demands...have to bet the SAS is warming up

[Warren Stupidity]

16. SAS is warming up?

I rather doubt we will see a commando raid to free the 15 prisoners. That would be really stupid.

[Solo_in_MD]

17. If they can be located, they can be rescued. Does Operation Nimrod ring a bell?

The smaller the number, the better, fewer troops and vehicles would need to ingress. It would not be without risk but a successful rescue raid would not cause much condemnation from anyone. Not advocating it, but its well withing possibility, and not particulalry stupid if they get clear away. The key is locating them. In the past Iran separates hostages, so it a fair bet that they have done that here as well, which would be a driving factor.

Its clear that Iran is pulling a stunt here and the other Gulf states would mind if it got embarrased and spanked. Air raids or even limited invasion would be a different matter.

[Warren Stupidity]

23. Operation Nimrod? Wow, that is so apt.

"The breaking of a terrorist siege in the heart of London in 1980", just like flying into Tehran. Yes. Exactly the same. Of course.

[Solo_in_MD]

24. I could make some smart ass comeback, but seriously,

most people don't even know who the SAS are...it was a reminder that the Brits have the notional equivlent of Delta Force.

[Solo_in_MD]

5. Not so fast, there is a requirement that the UK first acknowledge they were in Iranian waters

Which based on the UK statements was not true.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1257880,00.html has some of it.

[Omaha Steve]

9. I read earlier that....

The British say they were over the limit by over a mile. Now I can't find the story. :-(

[Solo_in_MD]

11. I am yet to see or read anything in which the Brits admit to being in Iranian waters

I think their claim is that there were inside Iraqi waters by a mile.

[cali]

12. That's because the story never existed

The brits have released evidence that they were a half a k inside Iraqi waters. That's all they've claimed. They have adamently denied that they were inside Iranian territorial waters. In addition the first information that the Iranians released confirmed the brits' claim. The Iranians than withdrew that information, and shortly thereafter provided new evidence claiming that the brits were inside Iranian territory.

[Solo_in_MD]

18. Evidence or coordinates?

[uppityperson]

10. very good. Cool heads are prevailing.

[DanWithAngel]

13. no, not unless the British admit they were in iran waters

I don't believe iran for a second.

[onehandle]

14. No war? Darn. So what's new with Anna-Nicole Smith? nt

[knight_of_the_star]

15. Ah good

At least one government has working brains at the top. While Iran would hurt us real bad if we did something stupid, in the long run no one would benefit from a direct confrontation.

[lpbk2713]

19. Excellent news.

And I defy the criminal BushCo administration to take any credit for this development. Certainly not CONdi. Like Trump said, she's not a deal maker. She's a 'waver'. I thought that was funny.

[Purveyor]

20. Sorry, but I find no confirmation of this pending release... eom

[maddezmom]

21. Breaking News Banner on CNN....may delay the release

Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani says Iran may delay the release of the female British sailor if Britain takes the issue to the U.N. Security Council or freezes relations.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/03/29/thursday/index.html

[maddezmom]

22. AP Link: Female sailor's release may be delayed

Female sailor's release may be delayed 1 minute ago



TEHRAN, Iran - Iran may delay the release of the female British sailor if Britain takes the issue to the U.N. Security Council or freezes relations, the country's top negotiator Ali Larijani said Thursday.

Speaking on Iranian state radio, Larijani said: "British leaders have miscalculated this issue."

If Britain follows through with its policies on the 15 British sailors and marines detained by Iran last week, Larijani said "this case may face a legal path" — a clear reference to Iran's prosecuting the sailors in court.

Earlier Thursday, Britain asked the Security Council to support a call for the immediate release of detainees, saying in a statement they were operating in Iraqi waters under a mandate from the Security Council and at the request of Iraq. The issue was expected to be debated Thursday.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070329/ap_on_re_mi_ea/british_seized_iran;_ylt=AsvAuYj4UaMHz.a42I1ECZJvaA8F