» 03/24/2007 12:26 GREAT BRITAIN – IRAN On the eve of the United Nation’s vote, Iran causes tension by seizing 15 British marines Contrasting versions by the two governments on the dynamics of yesterday’s diplomatic incident: according to the Foreign Office the military was in Iraqi waters, while Teheran says they illegally entered Iranian territory. The Security Council is to vote today on new sanctions for the mullah regime; “due to a delay in Ahmadinejad’s visa, he will not be attending the meeting.
London (AsiaNews/Agenzie) – A diplomatic crisis between Iran and Great Britain has occurred on the eve of the United Nations Security Councils vote on new sanctions against Tehran because of its nuclear enrichment program. The BBC’s website states “consultations and reviews” are underway regarding the incident involving 15 Royal Navy personnel that Iran blocked in the Shatt el Arab waters, near the Persian Golf. The Foreign Office appeal to the Iranian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Rasul Movahedian, for the immediate release of the men.
According to the Ministry of Defense in London, 15 British marines were blocked by Iranian naval forces in Iraqi waters. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims that the marines illegally entered the Islamic Republic’s territory, where they inspected both Iranian and Iraqi merchant ships, then launching an alarm to the Iranian guards. Irna, an Iranian press agency, reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson said “the illegal entry of British forces in Iranian waters is suspicious and against international law.” The Fars Agency this morning noted that the 15 Royal Navy personnel were transferred to Teheran for questioning.
According to the Times, it is feared that the “15 British sailors and Royal Marines were victims of a deliberate ambush on the disputed Shatt al-Arab waterway by Iranian Revolutionary Guards, perhaps seeking to use the captives as hostages in the increasingly tense stand-off between the West and Iran over its nuclear program.” United Nations Security Council Resolution is due to vote on new sanctions today for the mullah regime.The Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, will not be in New York. He has given as a pretext the “delay” of the United States’ release of his visa . Washington denies these accusations.
