Iran says it won't release Britons

Last Modified: 29 Mar 2007
By: Bridgid Nzekwu

The Prime Minister's official spokesman this morning emphasised that Britain did not want confrontation over the issue.

But Britain is attempting to rally support at a UN summit in Saudi Arabia in the hope of seeking a statement of condemenation from the Security Council over Iran's actions.

The words of leading seaman Faye Turney and the sight of her colleagues having a meal on Iranian TV has done nothing to reassure the British government.

Consular officials in Iran have yet to be given access to the 15 captured navy personnel, as promised by Iran's foreign minister.

Today's newspapers expressed outrage at the broadcast, noting that despite Faye Turney's description of her captors as compassioned, her body language spoke of severe stress.

A former prisoner of war says such broadcasts can't be trusted. They said: "I spoke to one of the marines in previous incident in 2004 and he said it was a pretty unpleasant situation. They underwent mock executions - the reality is we don't know what's going on until they come home."

So far Iran has ignored diplomatic overtures, tough talking by Tony Blair and evidence from the Ministry of Defence that the navy personnel were captured in Iraqi waters. Iran insists it will only release the sailors when the British government admits entering Iranian waters.

So what can be done now? Quiet diplomacy failed, tough talk from Blair failed, and releasing coordinates failed. Iran continues to insist the British government must apologise while international pressure continues to grow.

UN sec general and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana have held talks with Iran's foreign minister at the Arab summit in Riyadh

Depleted diplomacy: Jonthan Rugman on the crisis

If TV pictures of Seaman Faye Turney puffing nervously on a cigarette have them huffing and puffing with anger in the pubs tonight, what might make the British public even more incensed is just how limited Britain's diplomatic options are.

The Foreign Office is seeking a statement of condemnation from the UN Security Council. It can't push for a UN resolution because a) this is only day six of this crisis, so early days and b) there are already two UN resolutions in place over Iran's nuclear programme, and nobody wants to uspet already delicate negotations aimed at persuading Iran to suspend its nuclear activity.

- Why London's options are limited this Iranian stand-off?