News / Politics
Captured British Sailors and Marines Being Interrogated by Iran
Iran has begun interrogating the 15 British sailors and marines who were detained while entering Iranian waters. Officials have moved the servicemen to an undisclosed location and denied British requests to visit with the 14 men and one woman.
The British government has denied that the sailors and marines were in Iranian waters when they were captured, insisting that they had been in an Iraqi waterway when captured. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has warned that Iran has just a few days to find a diplomatic solution to the situation before action is taken. What that action would be is unclear but he has gained the backing of the European Union.
France’s President, Jacques Chirac, has said that Britain had the “complete solidarity” of all EU leaders in concern to the issue.
Iran has yet to announce what their plans are for the 15 but have said after the interrogation it should clear up whether they entered into Iran intentionally or unintentionally. According to Deputy Foreign Minister Mehzi Mostafavi, “after that is clarified, the necessary decision will be made.”
The detention of the sailors and marines by the Iranian government is being viewed as a response to the West’s call for sanctions against Iran for their continued involvement in uranium enrichment. Iran has denied their nuclear research is a cover for a weapons program.
On Saturday the U.N. Security Council agreed to toughen their sanctions against Iran for refusing to halt their enrichment of uranium.
