15 UK sailors captured at gunpoint - Page 2

smilingassassin · 03-23-2007, 16:38 PM

U.K.: 15 soldiers detained by Iranian navy - Focus on Iran - MSNBC.com

U.K. says 15 soldiers detained by Iranian navy
Ministry summons Iranian ambassador, seeks immediate return of troops

LONDON - Iranian naval vessels on Friday seized 15 British sailors and marines who had boarded a merchant ship in Iraqi waters of the Persian Gulf, British and U.S. officials said. Britain immediately protested the detentions, which come at a time of high tension between the West and Iran.

In London, the British government summoned the Iranian ambassador to the Foreign Office. “He was left in no doubt that we want them back,” Britain’s Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said after the meeting.

A spokesman for the U.S. Navy, which operates off the Iraqi coast along with British forces, said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard naval forces were responsible.

Cmdr. Kevin Aandahl of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet said the Iranian Revolutionary Guards had radioed a British warship explaining that no harm had come to the 15 Britons and that they were seized because they were in Iranian waters. The British Defense Ministry said the Iranians took custody of the sailors and marines in Iraqi waters.

Aandahl said a “very limited exchange of communication” occurred between the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Navy after it had intercepted the Royal Navy service members saying “that no harm had come to any personnel and that they were being taken to a place of safety.”

The Iranians said they had captured the sailors and marines because they were operating inside Iranian territorial waters.

“The Royal Navy replied that they were well inside Iraqi territorial waters (and) that was the end of the conversation,” Aandahl said.

Britain’s Defense Ministry said its men were “engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters,” and had completed a ship inspection when they were accosted by Iranian vessels.

“We are urgently pursuing this matter with the Iranian authorities at the highest level,” the ministry said.

Government offices closed
No one could be immediately reached for comment at either government offices in Iran or at the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad or at the U.N. mission. An Iranian official at the U.N. mission in New York said he was not aware of the report and could not immediately comment.

Iran is in the middle of its New Year holiday when almost all government offices close.

The U.S. Navy said the incident occurred just outside a long-disputed waterway called the Shatt al-Arab dividing Iraq and Iran. It came as the U.N. Security Council is debating further sanctions against Iran over its disputed nuclear program, and amid U.S. allegations that Iran is arming Shiite militias in Iraq.

U.S. officials had expressed concern that with much military hardware concentrated in the Persian Gulf, just such a small incident could spiral out of control and trigger a major armed confrontation.

xerxes · 03-23-2007, 17:00 PM

see here

http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/war...-gunpoint.html

smilingassassin · 03-23-2007, 17:15 PM

Sorry for the double post, seemed like a UK subject.

xerxes · 03-23-2007, 19:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by execrable

Fifteen British Navy personnel have been captured at gunpoint by Iranian forces, the Ministry of Defence says. The men were seized when they boarded a boat in the north Arabian Gulf, off the coast of Iraq, which they suspected was smuggling cars.

story here

I find it intresting that the first post of this thread refers to the Gulf as the "Arabian Gulf", instead what is the actual name ....

In the given link (BBC NEWS) it is mentioned: "The men were seized at 1030 local time when they boarded a boat in the Gulf, off the coast of Iraq, which they suspected was smuggling cars."

source: BBC NEWS | UK | UK sailors captured at gunpoint

Was the word Arabian added by the author of the thread him/herself ??? and if so why???

xerxes · 03-23-2007, 19:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZFBoxcar

I agree with you guys. Like you said Bluesman, they will be expecting retaliation, so it must be big. They trained Hezbollah to do this to the Israelis and the retaliation didn't work out so well, despite being big (although run by a defense minister who's only training is being a union leader). When Hezbollah provoked Israel, it turns out they knew what they were doing. Therefore I am worried that the Iranians might have a good reason to think that Anglo-American retaliation will fail or hurt the Brits and Americans more than themselves. This crime can't be left unanswered though. Gotta get those sailors back.

This whole event doesnt feel right ... i doubt it is similiar case as Hizbollah situation this past summer. Iran unlike Hizbollah is in no situation to be bombarded and boast about it. Hizbollah was protecting a narrow land, with most assets underground. Iran's will loose much much more in a full-scale air bombardment.

This could be a provocaton to start a low intensity draggy shooting war where they could cope atleast with limited US airpower, but not a full-scale air bombardment to the scale of Israel this past summer. But I suspect it is more like an internal affair within the IRCG ranks and the Office of President.

Bluesman · 03-23-2007, 20:46 PM

Once again, the intrepid xerxes has uncovered the subtle dissin' of da Persians by the notoriously anti-Iranian Beeb and their willing accomplice, execrable. Good work, Inspector Gadget.

JMH, you're busted, too, for having the temerity to think a regime like this would stoop to torture. Where would you get such ludicrous notions?

xerxes · 03-23-2007, 21:03 PM

^^

Congragulation must be forwarded to you as well, Mr Propoganda Minister, for the timely release of that picture that is obviously meant to deviate public opinion. Much like the story of Huns (Germans) bayonneting babies in WWI or the Saddam Hussein killing Kuwaiti babies.

Barry Zweiker: Gulf War 1 lies: conspiracy to gain support for the Gulf War 1 - Google Video

Ofcourse your mind is set with the notion of good and evil, therefore is no need to discuss anyfurther. As far as the posed question, I was just confirming that it was execrable, and not the BBC News that felt changing "Arabian Gulf" to "Gulf". You got a problem with that? .. I think not. As far as your propoganda picture goes, I am sure that your humble Office is aware that it that is the picture of Iranians being hanged not British. I am sure the treatment of the captured British is 100 times better than those in X-Camp.

Bluesman · 03-23-2007, 21:09 PM

Missed my point, sweetie: they're Iranian, all right: Iranian CHILDREN. Confirming the point that went right over your pointy head: Iran is a human rights abuser with few equals, and it is completely consistent that they would torture the Brits they've kidnapped.

You're a deeply stupid individual. Did you know that?

Bluesman · 03-23-2007, 21:11 PM

Ahmad Batebi, a symbol of Iran's reformist movement, appeared on the cover of The Economist. He has been in prison since then.

Bluesman · 03-23-2007, 21:12 PM

Jahangir Razmi's Firing Squad in Iran is the first and only anonymous image to ever win the Pulitzer Prize

Bluesman · 03-23-2007, 21:12 PM

Example of hodood punishment in Iran: This women was given 50 lashes for violating sharia.

Bluesman · 03-23-2007, 21:13 PM

Iranian youths Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni on the scaffold. (Mashhad, July 19, 2005).

Bluesman · 03-23-2007, 21:14 PM

An Iranian teenager facing public flogging in Iran, for violating Islamic Sharia law.

Bluesman · 03-23-2007, 21:14 PM

Hundreds of Iranian newspapers were shut down during the last decade.

Bluesman · 03-23-2007, 21:15 PM

Shall I go on, you pile of excrement?

03-23-2007, 16:38 PM	#16 (permalink)
smilingassassin *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 12-12-03 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 2,719 Country:	Iran seizes 15 UK troops U.K.: 15 soldiers detained by Iranian navy - Focus on Iran - MSNBC.com U.K. says 15 soldiers detained by Iranian navy Ministry summons Iranian ambassador, seeks immediate return of troops LONDON - Iranian naval vessels on Friday seized 15 British sailors and marines who had boarded a merchant ship in Iraqi waters of the Persian Gulf, British and U.S. officials said. Britain immediately protested the detentions, which come at a time of high tension between the West and Iran. In London, the British government summoned the Iranian ambassador to the Foreign Office. “He was left in no doubt that we want them back,” Britain’s Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said after the meeting. A spokesman for the U.S. Navy, which operates off the Iraqi coast along with British forces, said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard naval forces were responsible. Cmdr. Kevin Aandahl of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet said the Iranian Revolutionary Guards had radioed a British warship explaining that no harm had come to the 15 Britons and that they were seized because they were in Iranian waters. The British Defense Ministry said the Iranians took custody of the sailors and marines in Iraqi waters. Aandahl said a “very limited exchange of communication” occurred between the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Navy after it had intercepted the Royal Navy service members saying “that no harm had come to any personnel and that they were being taken to a place of safety.” The Iranians said they had captured the sailors and marines because they were operating inside Iranian territorial waters. “The Royal Navy replied that they were well inside Iraqi territorial waters (and) that was the end of the conversation,” Aandahl said. Britain’s Defense Ministry said its men were “engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters,” and had completed a ship inspection when they were accosted by Iranian vessels. “We are urgently pursuing this matter with the Iranian authorities at the highest level,” the ministry said. Government offices closed No one could be immediately reached for comment at either government offices in Iran or at the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad or at the U.N. mission. An Iranian official at the U.N. mission in New York said he was not aware of the report and could not immediately comment. Iran is in the middle of its New Year holiday when almost all government offices close. The U.S. Navy said the incident occurred just outside a long-disputed waterway called the Shatt al-Arab dividing Iraq and Iran. It came as the U.N. Security Council is debating further sanctions against Iran over its disputed nuclear program, and amid U.S. allegations that Iran is arming Shiite militias in Iraq. U.S. officials had expressed concern that with much military hardware concentrated in the Persian Gulf, just such a small incident could spiral out of control and trigger a major armed confrontation. __________________ Facts to a liberal is like Kryptonite to Superman. -- Larry Elder Last edited by smilingassassin : 03-23-2007 at 16:40 PM.

03-23-2007, 17:00 PM	#17 (permalink)
xerxes Padishah Shahanshah *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 01-23-07 Location: Canada Posts: 950 Country:	see here http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/war...-gunpoint.html __________________ If we contrast the rapid progress of this mischievous discovery of gunpowder with the slow and laborious advances of reason, science, and the arts of peace, a philosopher, according to his temper, will laugh or weep at the folly of mankind. - Edward Gibbon

03-23-2007, 21:03 PM	#22 (permalink)
xerxes Padishah Shahanshah *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 01-23-07 Location: Canada Posts: 950 Country:	^^ Congragulation must be forwarded to you as well, Mr Propoganda Minister, for the timely release of that picture that is obviously meant to deviate public opinion. Much like the story of Huns (Germans) bayonneting babies in WWI or the Saddam Hussein killing Kuwaiti babies. Barry Zweiker: Gulf War 1 lies: conspiracy to gain support for the Gulf War 1 - Google Video Ofcourse your mind is set with the notion of good and evil, therefore is no need to discuss anyfurther. As far as the posed question, I was just confirming that it was execrable, and not the BBC News that felt changing "Arabian Gulf" to "Gulf". You got a problem with that? .. I think not. As far as your propoganda picture goes, I am sure that your humble Office is aware that it that is the picture of Iranians being hanged not British. I am sure the treatment of the captured British is 100 times better than those in X-Camp. Last edited by xerxes : 03-23-2007 at 21:09 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Britain Appeals To UN In Sailors' Case	Ironduke	International Politics	338	04-23-2007 16:24 PM
Battleship History Article	rickusn	Battleships Forum	3	01-17-2007 11:16 AM
Al Qaeda Declines in Northern Iraq, Military Officer Says	Shek	The War in Iraq	6	09-16-2005 19:03 PM
Future of afghanistan	raja khan	Operation Enduring Freedom	113	09-20-2004 19:23 PM

03-23-2007, 17:15 PM	#18 (permalink)
smilingassassin *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 12-12-03 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 2,719 Country:	Sorry for the double post, seemed like a UK subject.

03-23-2007, 21:09 PM	#23 (permalink)
Bluesman WAB Bartender *Defense Professional* *Military Professional* Join Date: 11-24-04 Location: Vacaville, CA. Posts: 7,387 Country:	Missed my point, sweetie: they're Iranian, all right: Iranian CHILDREN. Confirming the point that went right over your pointy head: Iran is a human rights abuser with few equals, and it is completely consistent that they would torture the Brits they've kidnapped. You're a deeply stupid individual. Did you know that?

03-23-2007, 21:15 PM	#30 (permalink)
Bluesman WAB Bartender *Defense Professional* *Military Professional* Join Date: 11-24-04 Location: Vacaville, CA. Posts: 7,387 Country:	Shall I go on, you pile of excrement?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)