Iran

Edgy DC
Mar 23 2007 09:39 AM

Damn.
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Fifteen British Royal Marines on patrol in the Persian Gulf have been "seized" by the Iranian navy, the British Ministry of Defense said.
The personnel from the HMS Cornwall frigate were surrounded by Iranian navy vessels after completing a routine inspection of a merchant ship, the ministry said in a statement.
They were then escorted by Iranian vessels into Iranian waters, it said.
The Marines were "engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters," the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
A U.S. military official who monitors the region told CNN the Marines stopped an Iranian ship suspected of smuggling automobiles, and boarded it for an inspection.
While the Marines were on board, six Navy ships from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard showed up and claimed the British had entered Iranian waters.
A dispute ensued over whether the Marines were in Iraqi, international, or Iranian territorial waters, and the 15 were then seized and taken to Iran, the U.S. military official said.
An Iraqi fisherman told Reuters the incident took place in the Shatt al-Arab waterway that marks the southern stretch of Iraq's border with Iran. His account could not be immediately confirmed.
The British ministry's statement said the Marines "completed a successful inspection of a merchant ship when they and their two boats were surrounded and escorted by Iranian vessels into Iranian territorial waters."
The statement added: "We are urgently pursuing this matter with the Iranian authorities at the highest level and on the instructions of the Foreign Secretary, the Iranian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office.
"The British government is demanding the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment."
There was no immediate word from Iran on the incident. CNN's Aneesh Raman in Tehran said there had been no mention of the incident on Iranian TV and calls to officials had not been answered.
The U.S. military official said the British Royal Marines are believed to be unharmed. It was not immediately clear where in Iran they were taken.
The U.S Navy in the Gulf said none of its military personnel was involved.
In 2004 eight British sailors and Marines were seized -- and later released -- by Iran after they crossed into Iranian territorial waters aboard three patrol boats by mistake.

Kid Carsey
Mar 23 2007 10:00 AM

Nymr83
Mar 23 2007 12:45 PM

The question now is whether Blair still has a nutsack.

Edgy DC
Mar 23 2007 12:47 PM

Oh, there are many questions.

Nymr83
Mar 23 2007 12:52 PM

like when is someone going to stop the most dangerous regime in the region if not the world? not any time soon i'm afraid.

metirish
Mar 23 2007 12:57 PM

Nymr83 wrote:
like when is someone going to stop the most dangerous regime in the region if not the world? not any time soon i'm afraid.
Bush will be out in 08...patience 83

Kid Carsey
Mar 23 2007 01:18 PM

I posted that map because I looked it up to see where Afghanistan was
exactly. Iran seems hell bent to piss off everyone and thrust themselves
into a nice little Iraqinistan sandwich conflict.

metirish
Mar 23 2007 01:24 PM

That bit of water has been disputed by Iraq and Iran for years,the international community says it's Iraq's while Iran thinks it belongs to them,many "experts" think Iran are starting to overplay their hand with regards to Iraq.

Farmer Ted
Mar 25 2007 05:46 PM

Funny thing is, Iran is a very "Western-centric" nation. Many Iranians have western connections and there is a lot of trade with Europe. Before the hostage crisis, it was common for students to travel to the west and head back. It's the looney toon and his band of idiots at the top of the government ***ing everything up.

Nymr83
Mar 25 2007 05:54 PM

yeah, but the looney toons arent going anywhere anytime soon

Nymr83
Mar 26 2007 09:22 AM

the world's greatest hostage-takers are at it again, how long will the British let this go on? another 444 days of standing by in the face of islamic terror? maybe a half-hearted botched rescue attempt instead of the full-scale action required? it is about time that Iran is put out of business, and it would be politically expedient for someone other than Bush to start things rolling.

Sandgnat
Mar 26 2007 12:43 PM

metirish wrote:
="Nymr83"]like when is someone going to stop the most dangerous regime in the region if not the world? not any time soon i'm afraid.
Bush will be out in 08...patience 83

The blind hatred of President Bush is comical at this point.

metirish
Mar 26 2007 12:46 PM

Oh please,I was having fun with 83....

seawolf17
Mar 26 2007 12:51 PM

I thought that by "most dangerous regime in the world" he was referring to Bush.

Nymr83
Mar 26 2007 12:54 PM

metirish wrote:
Oh please,I was having fun with 83....
i think most of us realized that
="seawolf17"]I thought that by "most dangerous regime in the world" he was referring to Bush.
if you really thougt I meant that you haven't been reading my posts. if you really believe that yourself you need your head examined.

Edgy DC
Mar 30 2007 08:54 AM

Wow, using them as propaganda pawns.

metirish
Mar 30 2007 09:11 AM

Yeah it's horrible,especially in how they are using Faye Turney,reports out of Britain saying that a third letter purportedly written by her released by Iran.

Nymr83
Mar 30 2007 09:40 AM

you really expected anything less? i hope that once released they go on TV and tell everyone how their statements were coerced. there are acually morons out there who don't realize the danger A(dolf)hmenijad poses.
this isn't the first time this happened either, last time the sailors were pretty promptly released, but iran has still refused to return the military equipment, not that i'd make a big deal about an inflatable boat, but the fact that they hold and have not released the GPS system that was onboard is all you need to know about who is telling the truth as to the boat's location.

Edgy DC
Mar 30 2007 09:45 AM

I don't think there is an issue about the truth. I think we all realize Iran is trying to provoke.
I didn't expect more or less, so please stop addressing folks like everyone is an idiot but you.

metirish
Mar 30 2007 09:49 AM

I never expected anything less nor did I imply that,Iran has long used this tactic to provoke and incite.

Nymr83
Mar 30 2007 11:05 AM

Edgy DC wrote:
I don't think there is an issue about the truth. I think we all realize Iran is trying to provoke.
I didn't expect more or less, so please stop addressing folks like everyone is an idiot but you.
glad you realize that, and i'll be sure to remind you of it if and when a military operation becomes necessary and all the liberals start crying about it.
i did not call anyone here an idiot in my last post, if that had been my intention i'd have been explicit about it as always,

Edgy DC
Mar 30 2007 11:10 AM

You don't need to remind me of anything.
I didn't write that you called anybody anything. Your tone of dripping contempt in phrases like "I'll be sure to remind you..." is what I'm taking issue with.

Nymr83
Mar 31 2007 12:49 AM

Speaking of potential coercion...
]Hicks had previously said he was abused by the U.S. military but said in his plea agreement that he has "never been illegally treated while in U.S. custody."
Hicks is the lone Australian terrorist who was being held at Guantanamo.
Not that I put much stock in what he says anyway, but I'm curious to see if he changes his tune upon returning to Australia. I don't like the idea of forcing statements that may not be true as a condition of a plea agreement.
edit- the quote is from some article on yahoo

iramets
Mar 31 2007 01:02 AM

Let's get it straight, please. Nymr83 thinks "Ira" is a provocative idiot. "Iran" he regards more highly.
It's an understandable error. Carry on.

Nymr83
Mar 31 2007 01:26 AM

another example of you picking a fight in a thread that you werent even part of and that did not mention you at all. nice to see you're getting back to your old tricks as the season come around.

iramets
Mar 31 2007 07:36 AM

Plus I'm an idiot. Don't forget that.

MFS62
Mar 31 2007 10:29 AM

This reminds me of an old SNL skit, when Jane Curtin and Bill Murray "did the news".
On one show, Jane said "An airliner crashed in China yesterday, killing over 200 people.
But there were NO Americans on board, so nobody cares".
We're talking English military here, folks. Yes, they're our closest allies, but they're still English.
It is sad to say that if one of them had been American, there would have been 10 times the outrage among us poor proles.
Later

Yancy Street Gang
Mar 31 2007 11:21 AM

NOW we'd only care if there were celebrities on board that plane.

Kid Carsey
Mar 31 2007 11:41 AM

Heaven forbid there was a Survivor or American Idol contestant being held,
all hell would be breaking loose.

Edgy DC
Mar 31 2007 02:16 PM

MFS62 wrote:
This reminds me of an old SNL skit, when Jane Curtin and Bill Murray "did the news".
What reminds you of that?

MFS62
Mar 31 2007 02:43 PM

The fact that something terrible happened half way around the world, something that could result in terrible consequences, and a lot of tv news time was spent showing us the film of "MC Rove" instead.
Seems like many here in the US don't care as much as we should. (since the captured sailors weren't American)
That's all.
The circumstances don't have to be identical to the SNL skit. It just brought it to mind.
Later

Edgy DC
Mar 31 2007 03:15 PM

Who doesn't care?
I care a lot more about the dozens of Iraqis killed since these sailors were captured. And I care about the potential World War III this incident could spark.
Your point about the news showing fluff is well-taken. But NPR is loaded with substance which leaves me just as cynical. Nonetheless, I think people are following this story closely. It's added a dynamic to the war in Iraq people aren't comfortable thinking about, but I think they're following and they care.

Kid Carsey
Mar 31 2007 03:59 PM

Dozens of dead Iraqis and WWlll??

Edgy DC
Mar 31 2007 04:21 PM

Yeah, the Iraqi civilians killed at the hands of terrorists are a greater tragedy.
As is the attempt by Iran to lure us into a war, hoping that us striking at or occupying three Islamic nations at once could lead to a pan-Islamic response. It's a real concern and that's why this is the most delicate piece of diplomacy that Britain finds themselves in.
I don't necessarily believe that the Islamic world would join up against us, but a war against Iran under these conditions would be a hard and dangerous thing.

Kid Carsey
Mar 31 2007 04:38 PM

I ain't really arguing here, but I don't buy the notion that "terrorists" are killing
Iraqis.
It's tribal shit that is beyond our comprehension is more the way I see it - although
I guess everyone knows sides are getting help from the outside.
Meanwhile, I filled up at three dollars a gallon for 87 octane today ... the real story
of the real ongoing war or any further war imho.

Nymr83
Mar 31 2007 04:55 PM

]I don't necessarily believe that the Islamic world would join up against us, but a war against Iran under these conditions would be a hard and dangerous thing.
And yo'd probably be right. I'd say most muslim countries dislike us for our pushing democracy and supporting Israel, but i think they HATE Iran and are SCARED of a powerful Iran.

Kid Carsey
Mar 31 2007 05:02 PM

It has a lot more to do with oil than your Israel, but whatever.
Opening day tomorrow!

Nymr83
Mar 31 2007 05:06 PM

what does? muslim countries' dislike for us? because thats what i was talking about in my post.

Kid Carsey
Mar 31 2007 05:38 PM

ny83: >>>what does?<<<
It, all of it. All that it. The it that has been going on too long and likely
won't end anytime soon.
It sucks.

Nymr83
Apr 01 2007 01:04 AM

the USS Nimitz, real-life aircraft carrier in one of my favorite science fiction movies, will soon be deployed to the region. can anyone name the movie?

MFS62
Apr 01 2007 09:02 AM

The Final Countdown.
I liked it, too.
Later

Nymr83
Apr 01 2007 09:43 AM

I'm very impressed if you didn't have to Google that

MFS62
Apr 01 2007 10:07 AM

No, that's one of those movies that if I come upon it while clicking around my tv, I'll always watch it to the end.
Interesting premise.
Later

Edgy DC
Apr 04 2007 10:10 AM

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has pardoned 15 British military personnel being held in Iranian custody and vowed to set them free shortly.
"I declare that the people of Iran and the government of Iran -- in full power to place on trial the military people -- to give amnesty and pardon to these 15 people and I announce their freedom and their return to the people of Britain," Ahmadinejad told a news conference.
The action was a goodwill gesture for the Iranian new year which began last week, he said. An Iranian diplomat in London told The Associated Press that the 15 would be handed over to the British Embassy in Tehran.
"They will go through some brief formalities and then they will go to the embassy," he said.
A spokeswoman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed the announcement: "We are now establishing exactly what this means in terms of the method and timing of their release."
Ahmadinejad said the 15 detainees had violated the country's territorial waters and praised the border guards who captured them, presenting their commander with a medal for bravery.
"I thank the border guards who bravely protect our borders and also arrested the violators, and I grant them the bravery medal to their commander," Ahmadinejad said.
Ahmadinejad was speaking after a senior Iranian official on Wednesday welcomed UK efforts to negotiate the release of the marines and sailors.
Iran's parliament speaker Gholamali Haddadadel told an Iranian state broadcaster's Web site that British efforts to negotiate the detainees' release were "appropriate."
"The British are trying to solve the issue of their arrested soldiers with negotiations and this is appropriate action," Haddadadel was quoted as saying.
But he added: "The British should agree to their mistake and change their behavior of before."
Haddadadel is considered an influential figure within Iran because of his connections with the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to whom he is related by marriage.
A spokeswoman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair confirmed late on Tuesday that diplomatic moves had been made towards Tehran. (Watch how tempers have cooled in diplomatic dispute )
Iran had insisted that Britain must admit its military personnel intruded into Iranian territorial waters and "guarantee this violation would not be committed again."
Britain insists the sailors and marines were well inside Iraqi waters when Iran captured them on March 23.
Iran had released several videos showing the 14 men and one woman in which they appeared to be in good health. Iran also released videotaped confessions from four of the sailors -- including the woman, Faye Turney. (Watch the two crew members describe their 'intrusion' )
Britain said the confessions were coerced and expressed its outrage at the videos' release.
The newest images, published Tuesday by the Iranian news agency Fars, show crew members talking in a group and playing a game.
Other developments
A U.S. military official said Washington officials were considering a request made by Iran to allow Iranian representatives access to the five detained Iranians captured early January by U.S. forces during a military raid in northern Iraq. "The request has been made but nothing has been approved," the official told CNN on Wednesday. (Iraq pressing U.S. to release Iranians)
Iranian officials in Kish Island said a U.S. inquiry into an American citizen who has been missing for several weeks in southern Iran was made for "political purposes," according to IRNA, Iran's state-run news agency.

Nymr83
Apr 04 2007 03:03 PM

Exactly what does asking about the whereabouts of a missing businessman have to do with politics? the guy's family and employer have contacted the state department who are (gasp!) doing their job