We shouldn't have to borrow American ships, we should send our own fleet to start gunboat diplomacy off the Iranian coast.....

..........er, um, if only Mr Blair's inept Government hadn't just mothballed almost 50% of the Navy's shipping to save money. Myopic or what?

Keith, Newcastle,

I know that we do not live in an era of gunboat diplomacy, but I do happen to know a lot about type 22 frigates! So my question is, why didn't Commodore Nick Lambert take action before the Iranians kidnapped our sailors and marines? There was a support helicopter above which had to return to HMS Cornwall for refueling, why didn't the helicopter personell alert the Commodore, they must have seen the Iranians and if they didn't then surly the frigates radar would have picked them up, they were only eight milea away? I beleive there is a conspiracy here somewhere. What better excuse for Britain and the US to condemn the Iranians for commiting an act of war against us. Now the US and Britain have a great excuse to bomb the muck out of the Iranians, including their nuclear sites.

Spencer I. Mather, Sedgley, Dudley, West Midlands, UK

I read the comment by a fellow American saying we should sell you the JFK. We should repair it and give it to you free and clear, and only then would we have even thought about making a dent into the debt we owe you. We have several other "mothballed" carriers we could give you.

Scott, Virginia, US

Here is yet another tragic case of George Bush's incompetnece. His failed post-invasion plans for Iraq have virtually taken the tools of force, or even threatend force, out of the hands of all Western leaders. But sometimes the threat of force is indispensible, sometimes even acts of war are right and proper. But that's our president's biggest failing, he makes it impossible to agree with him, even when he's right!
That said, I still think the British should, quietly, through diplomatic channels, let the Iranians know they have a choice. Keep our sailors or keep your house, your parliamnet buildings, your presidential palaces. You can do that, and if necessary, Americans can help.
The Islamist thugs aren't the only ones who have access to "asymmetrical warfare." Theirs is terror, acts of piracy, kidnappings. But we have an asymmetry too. We can hurt them hard, and they can't stop us, or retalliate in kind (though, of course, they could use terror.)
Britan must be strong now

Allan Goldstein, San Francisco, USA California

Britain is showing admirable restraint, in total contrast to those cowboy Americans and Zionist occupiers.

Pity about those 15 chaps, though. I'm sure they'll be missed.

melk, Cincinnati, Ohio USA

Funny and tragic. Funny is the BRITISH PM threatening a third world's second - class state with ... revealing the circumstances about how and where ( in Iraqi waters or not ) British troops were kidnapped. Funny is the point that in less than three years UN mandatory - and what is more important - British soldiers, have been humiliated twice from actually paramilitaries as the members of Revolutionary guards are. Twice, without any significant response from the British policymakers! If Britain as a great power, the second bigest member of the coalition in Iraq and the second strongest naval power in the world is incapable of protecting her own troops and punishing ANY kidnapper, then what for God's sake the British soldiers are doing there! And after the hounorable members of this British government look at the Nelson's monument or at Sir Winston's statue, perhaps they will find out what is the tragic one...

Vesselin, Dupnitza, Bulgaria

Let me see if I have this right. Iran can kidnap over a dozen of your soldiers (who were carrying out a UN inspection), whisk them across the border and hold them prisoner, and the best the British leader can come up with is, “I’m sorry, old chap, that wasn’t very nice. How about returning our poor fellows?” My God...I can understand how fear of the unknown can make people want to appease their enemies, but have we learned nothing from Iran’s behaviour after all these years? Oh Mr. Chamberlain…oh, sorry, I mean, Mr. Blair…”Peace at any Price” doesn’t work. Where is your Churchill? England hath need of thee…..

Juliabn Smith, Toronto, Canada

I am only 15 years old, however I believe that Yes, Iran will be a direct threat to Britain and it's allies if they had nuclear capabilities. But there is room for a deal where we could surely help with their nuclear enrichment for nuclear power. If we help them build their power stations, then there will be room for an comprimise which is the release of our 15 Marines and sailors. We could also supply them with weapons to defend their country but not with an nuclear warhead attachment so that they can't harm us but keep their country safe.

Ben Robertson, Worcester, UK

As a retired US Marine and veteran of Desert Storm and Somalia, I have had some limited experience with the British military. Let me state clearly it is NOT a question of courage or professionalism that allowed this, but rather budget cuts and most likely the rules of engagement. Despite the disagreements with US policy that many have in opinion polls, we Americans are grateful for the backbone and friendship that your citizens have continued to show when the stakes are the highest. Democracies are SUPPOSED to have intelligent and heated debate especially on war and peace. You did not desert us after 9-11, and we will stand with you come what may.

Tim Caufield, Carlsbad, USA/CA

have we not learned anything from the troops being kidnapped by Hezbollah, Hamas and now Iran. If we continue to let these " Playground Bullies " push without fighting back it only encourages more. Hamas and Hezbollah are used to living in the stone age, bombed out buildings, cess pools collapsing, kids wanting and waiting to be martyrs and die. But the Iranians live a pretty civil and modern lifestyle. Take away their satellites, their Mtv and ESPN, let them feel the pinches of Naval and land blockades of supplies and luxuries and we'll see them hang the mullahs. We won't have to drop a bomb, just squeeze the regime. It just takes governments and citizens with backbones to sstand up.

Steve, Katy, Texas

In regard to the appalling reductions in the Royal Navy, one idea would be to refit the American Carrier that was retired last week. You could buy ti for a song. We know that it handles F-18s, which would be a good deal better than the Harriers (correct me if I am wrong).

I am an American who studies history-all the time. But I can't tell if Iran simply wants a limited Hezbollah/Israel type war to unite the region against the West OR if they are simply angling to get their agents back from Iran. Also, a few months ago an Iranian passenger plain carrying only Revolutionary Guards crashed on takeoff. The Ayatollahs may think James Bond did it. They believe almost anything that suits their ideology, including the idea that there was no Holocaust. Strongly believing in a Big Lie is how many Wars begin. Best wishes from acrss the Pond.

Clif, Dallas, Texas

(Neil says)
Our armed forces are woefully under equipped .
Please provide evidence, im sick of people who make up stories, with out any facts. ive served in the british army.

yes the cost of war will have a price but britain belive it or not is one of the few powers in the world.

we have the most sofisticated spy network, we have nuclear subs, and a very effective ground fighting forces. the only thing we dont have is george bush.

Mark, burnley, uk

Palmerston would have BLOCKADED IRAN'S PORTS.
Is the British Lion now toothless ?

will knight, Orange County, California USA

" We will increase criticism",with a robust response like that from Mr Blair, it is fortunate he wasnt in power in 1982, hopefully Argentina will wait a bit next time.

G Bromhead, coppell, texas usa

We in the USA have already learned the lessons the world should know. The only thing understood in that part of the world is force, strength and in a perverted way, saving face. Iran has slapped Blair and he has blinked. They now know who they are dealing with. This action of piracy and the PM's reaction will only embolden Iran's leaders.

Kiel Douglass, Brooklyn, NY, USA

Here in the states there is an expresion "what would Jesus do?"...You (our best friends) need to ask "What would Lord Winston do?...The lack of a tough response is a direct result of pie in the sky, touchy feely socialism...Foe goodness sakes strap on a set and tell the killers in iran to return your bravest!

steve, swampscott, MA

I have to agree with the question, "What were the British rules of engagement?" Also why didn't the Frigate do anything to prevent this kidnapping? (According to news reports, all they did was send up a helicopter, which basically verified that they sailors were being shanghai'ed).

Blair should put the withdrawl of British troops (from Iraq) on hold and show a little backbone.

James Hammett, Den Haag, NL

Iranians are not all bad. Like Germany in the 1930's, a small band of extremists can impose their will on the majority, then crush dissent. Expressing political views leads to a kick at the door. Not many would face that, would you ? Surely we need to expose this politial/religous serpent and find ways to crush it's head from within Iran. For if we use arms this serpent just gains strength. For the head - think the religious elite, the body - the hords of generally poor, low educated masses. Alas the poor are growing in strength and are generally young. What to do ? Certainly not to go in guns blazing, they are not stupid enough to put our troops together in an easily accessible area. No they will use them for internal propaganda. We need to show clearly at the UN and especially to those countries with links to Iran, that the troops where in Iraqi water, they are operating under a UN mandate, that we believe in law and the Iranians cannot be trusted.

Peter , Vevey, Switzerland

Also, how close was the "Fully Armed Frigate"?
Why didn't they come to the aid of the boarding party?
Why hasn't the newspaper asked/published this information?

James Hammett, Den haag, NL

Britain supported us after September 11 and during the Iraqi conflict. Please know that not everyone in America has a short memory of what brought us to this moment in time where our ships cannot sail freely in international waters. Should anything happen to your servicemen and women, there will be an outpouring of support from the good ol' US of A in whatever means necessary.

BF, Philadephia, USA

Our armed forces are woefully under equipped and are lions led by donkeys. People who say we should sink the Iranian fleet - sure, but with what? The fleet has two small carriers which carry a few harriers - the navy harriers cannot fly in the gulf in summer as their engines overheat. When we get new carriers they will lack fighters for five years. We have 26 frigates, only about 1/3 - 1/2 available at any one time, and the government want to mothball four of those. Our Army is so weak it has decades old Chinooks that shouldn't be flown (and only 34 of those), doesn't have the logistics or manpower to support two small brigade groups in action, and where most of the helicopter fleet is grounded or useless. 12 squadrons of fighters left, most outdated. Just what do you think we can attack Iran with anyway? Blair’s policies have left us defenceless and friendless, hence the kidnaps. Iran attacked Britain becasue it knows we wont can can't fight back.

Neil Murphy, cromer,

You can't go to war with Iran in response to this kidnapping action according to the article because of the (mainly) financial problems that would come up. How will the 15 Britain kidnapped troops feel about this? They are probably interrogated by the Iranians. I think we (as the Western world) should at least send special forces to try to release them. They have my support!

EJ Lubbersen, Meppel, the Netherlands

We British seem to be prepared to go to war, from which I infer that we are prepared, if necessary, to sustain casualties. However, those casualties must occur out ot sight of the TV cameras. We cannot allow ourselves to be blackmailed by the Iranian kidnappers as we are doing. Our forces ought to have destroyed the entire Iranian naval flee by nowt in retaliation for this act of aggtression.

Cliff Pooley, Cheltenham,

I would be interested to know what rules of engagement this boarding party had placed upon them. In the event that they had been confronted by Iraqi insurgents would they have had no option but to surrender as they have had to when confronted by the Republican Guard. What is the policy for our troops when confronted by Iranian forces? I am sure that an American force in a similar situation would have not have reacted in this fashion. I am not suggesting that in the face of overwhelming opposition British forces should risk unnecessary casualties, but you have to feel sorry for the crew of the fully armed frigate close by and the helicopter hovering overhead watching their shipmates being taken captive without so much as a shot fired. Once again the effectiveness of the British armed forces is limited by the policy of the politicians and yet another weakness is highlighted. Did we learn nothing in 2004?

Jack Dusty, Southampton, UK

Kudos for an spot-on observation.
What did you expect though? This is the legacy of Ayatollah Straw, as he is known by Iranians.
The Brits have been appeasing the mullahs for so many years at the expense of the Iranian people and opposition that they can't break the habit. To exercise "civility" in dealing with a murderous Mafia-type religious dictatorship is green light for further aggression.
Mr. Straw is gone but his ghost is still haunts the Foreign Office.

Alex George, Alexandria, USA

The British government should set a firm deadline for the return of their troops and all equipment. If that date/time is not met, then appropriate military action should be taken.

Recall that in 1987 American President Ronald Regan ordered the US military to attact Iranian Navy ships which were laying mines in the Shatt al Arab waters. To the surprise of no one, after Iran's navy was met with a superior force their mining efforts came to an abrupt end.

Iran is the playground bully which recognizes that it will never win in a fair fight. And it's time to give them one.

W. T. Peterson, Albuquerque, New Mexico USA

Britain's response has been shockingly weak. I'm also amazed the servicemen were so passive. Kidnapping of troops is an act of clear aggression, where is the response?

JJ, Earth,