I'm always more than a little amused by the "helpful" suggestions my trigger-happy fellow citizens send your way. Having made the US the world's pariah by supporting the present administration and, therefore, its simplistic (moronic?) foreign policy goals/debacles, they now would suggest you follow suit.

It must be a case of "misery loves company".

Donald, New York, New York

Not sure what the point of commenting here really is. All of us are powerless; we just have to wait and see what the idiots (on both sides) do and then watch it on the news.

Gareth Lloyd, Brighton, UK

I'm out of the country at the moment and am completely disgusted by the situation. I wouldn't want to judge our government's reaction so far without knowing in full what's going on behind the scenes, but these are acts of war that Tehran has committed. Though it would be disastrous for us all to go that far, the Iranian government should be brought to book by the full weight and power of the UK and the European Union.

Cut off that rogue state's supply of cash and arms immediately.

George Kaplan, London,

I find it interesting that most of the comments here are from outside the UK. Here in the UK I think we are all hoping that this problem will be resolved without bloodshed and that the US will not use it as an excuse for more interference in the Middle East.

I don't believe our people were in Iranian waters. I believe that they have been taken hostage because of the hysterical paranoia of the US government.

Jacky, Bedford, England

Britain needs to move NOW. It is utter lunacy to let this linger on. The Iranians are banking on (and with good reason) the West's hand-wringing and whimpering. Enough of this nonsense. Send the Brit's version of a special ops team in there, blockade the strait of Hormuz, send the Iranian Embassy in Britain packing and bring the diplomatic corps home from that slimy country.

Oh, and you that love to hate America and see no difference from us and the mad Iranians: You will miss us when you have to defend yourselves and all your beloved social services are cut to pay for your own defense.

If Britain acts, Canada, Australia and the US will be with them. But don't expect any support from your EU friends.

Kathy, Austin, Texas

The Iranians may be even more foolish and gullible than we think. It is a possibility that these sailors were deliberately sent by Briatian to be "kidnapped" by Iran and "exploited" in this way to provoke an International inicident which would lead to war with Iran. Britain and America stand together and ultimately are preapred to go to war with Iran to prevent the Iranians from getting hold of nuclear weapons.These events show what the mad Iranians are capable of.
I would have no qualms with America and Britain going to war with Iranian over this incident. I think they will only repsond to strong arm tactics and an ultimatum should be given to them with amassing of forces on their borders.
This would really make them realise what is at stake.
Iran clearly sponsors extremist terrorist groups abroard and I don't understand why the UK and America have tolerated this situation for so long. Once airstrikes start on Iran , they will soon have to reconsider their position.

Ed Henry, Wrexham, Wales

Britain will do what it normally does since Blair has been in power.... it will bend over and take it. What has this country become?

Vik, London,

At the very least, the UK needs to withdraw all of its diplomatic personnel and dependents from Iran TODAY, and warn all other British subjects to leave Iran immediately. If the Iranians haven't given British diplomats to the captured personnel after almost two weeks, it might very well turn into two months or two years before you get access. Meanwhile, all Brits still in Iran are extremely vulnerable. We could easily see a repeat of the seizure of the US embassy.

Iran has demonstrated repeatedly that it treats the standards of international law and diplomacy with contempt. Why continue to dignify that regime with formal diplomatic relations, especially when all it does is increase the risk of even more hostages being taken?

Stefan Stackhouse, Black Mountain, NC/USA

Given the meek response of our Government and the exposure of the lack of preparedness and awareness of our military commanders in the Middle East, I am ashamed to be British. War and violence, conflict and death are to be avoided whereever possible but to allow such humiliation and to cower in the face of such blatant aggression is to invite future attacks upon our people wherever they may be in the world.

Keith Downer, London, UK

Chanting for Peace from New Zealand wants to know if the US would free someone if they entered illegally. The answer is yes, happens every day in Texas. Illegal Mexicans enter the US by the hundreds and freely get to roam the country courtesy of the Bush administration.

Ray Taft, Bacliff/Texas, USA

The United States stands behind the British with no equivocation. The line that Tony Blair has taken in Iraq shows me that there are still true leaders in our world like Mr. Chuchill, Ms.Thatcher and Mr. Reagan. The Liberals in your country should be thankful for Tony Blair.

Quite frankly most European disdain for the U.S. and President Bush disgusts me. Where are the rallies protesting Akhmadinejad?

We love you United Kingdom!

Mark Fowler, Ft. Myers, Florida

What has happened to Iranians?
They are behaving like lunatics.
I thought that the people of Iran are inteligent and peace loving. They have got great past history. They seems same as pakistanies. They should appologe and let british marines to come home. British Gov will not loose any thing by saying sorry. I feel that will look more degnified.

K B SHAHI, Pontefract, uk

It is highly implausible that Iranian vessels would be going into US/UK controlled waters where the forces of the superpowers navy are patrolling. It is much more likely that the UK vessel had strayed into Iranian territory. While the parading of prisoners on television is reprehensible, it pales in comparison to the way that prisoners of the allies have been treated in Guantanamo Bay and Abu Grahib.

Enar, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Please, Dave in Wellington. Tell us what are we allowed to do with the internet. We will humbly obey you. You can always move to Iran, there only a happy enlightenes few have access to the internet.

John Tanner MIRC, Halifax, Virginia, USA

What has happened to Iranians?
They are behaving like lunatics.
I thought that the people of Iran are inteligent and peace loving. They have got great past history. They seems same as pakistanies. They should appologe and let british marines to come home. British Gov will not loose any thing by saying sorry. I feel that will look more degnified.

K B SHAHI, Pontefract, uk

Beccie, England. I share your views entirely. Have you noticed that all this gung ho saber rattling comes mostly from the country that started all this in the first instances. Who helped to drive out the Shah of Iran and set up this muslim republic? Pres Carter, USA! Who put Saddam in power? Once again the USA. And why? Two reasons: 1st is that the USA has the world's biggest arms industry. Production requires a market and that market is kept fresh by the meddlings of the USA. The arms industry has a very large and powerful lobby with their massive donations and kick-backs to senators. No one in the USA gets elected without the backing of powerful business who expect a big return on their 'donations'. The 2nd reason of course is the old one: oil! Which country in the world is the biggest polluter of this planet? No research needed is there? So you big mouthed Yanks over the water stick to your own business and leave us Brits to sort things out legally and humanely.

T.G., Huskvarna, Sweden

To all those well meaning and supportive friends of the British people - many thanks.

But are you really advocating that the appropriate behaviour towards a mad dog that bites you is to bite back?

After any initial fireworks, how effective is "an eye for an eye" strategy in solving anything? How strong or lasting is brute force?

I pray that calm and good sense prevails, everywhere, and in the interest of everyone in the world.

a Brit, Berkhamsted, UK

I have no way of knowing how much coersion was used to extract these "confessions" nor, since I am not it their situation, can I claim to know that I would behave any differently but if, as I suspect, the navy does not spend much time training personnel in resistance to interrogation and tacitly accepts that 'playing along' with the interrogators is the best option, then it is a flawed principle. These "confessions" are for home consuption by the Iranian people, not for the world at large. No free-thinking person can believe that the sailors would voluntarily admit to being in Iranian water, even in the vanishingly small possibility that they were. For a people to allow itself to be governed by a religious order demands of them a staggering level of gullibility. To these gullible people the confessions no doubt sound genuine and it fires their anger and bolsters the regime. Those in power in Iran know this and use it to manipulate their own and other muslim countries

Bob Finbow, Haverhill, England

Let's face it the Iranians have just about perfected dragging negotiations {uraniaum enrichment}. As long as they will drag this out for a while by giving false clues of compromise/negotiations. Its simply gives them more time and "points" to use in other areas. Ultimately they know Russia and China will force a generally mild response by UK.
The lack of support from the EU AND a weaker response from Britan in negotiations {if the UK has drafted some sort of apology} encourages Iran to see how it plays out.
Fulminating on the sidelines only shows up the frustrations of a weak party who really have few practical options {GOING TO WAR AT THIS POINT IS NOT AN OPTION}. A strong unchanging supported diplomatic channel negotiation is certainly the best course; but Britan should realize it is they not Iran that needs the public face saving conclusion. It must come out with little or no basckstepping

arthur waldman, Wpg, Canada

Why was such a powerful British warship 11 miles away? Where was the air cover? Where was the radar coverage from the warship as her soldiers inspected a smuggler so close to iranian waters? And how did the iranian gunboats get so close with no radar warning from the HMS Cornwall? And getting caught disembarking? Sounds like the British navy is just a shell of what it used to be! Good thing we Americans are there to take the fight to the enemy! But keep up the good work, HMS Cornwall. Just another paper tiger in the water, like the French.

peter klein, utah, USA

Why isn't all of London demonstrating in front of the Iranian Embassy? I remember the last time I was in London there were huge demonstrations in front of the Parliament Buildings protesting Britain's involvement in Iraq. Why aren't those same protesters demonstrating in front of the Iranian Embassy, while their fellow countrymen and woman are being held hostage

Mark Gregor-Pearse, Chicago, Illinois

I agree with the commentator who said this is a game of chess but surely now is the time to stop playing games? I've personally no idea what the answer is but I do have a question..How on earth didn't the marines know they were coming-there are afterall helicopters who were meant to patrol the area to safeguard the marines in waters around the war zone of Iraq? That said, there's another question, why were the Iranians alowed to board and then capture our marines? Can anyone give me a logical explanation on this please.

As an aside, Iran have been desparate-a bit obvious from their pre-capture behaviour-for any excuse to pull USA/GB into a war with themselves, should we commit to engaging in this sort of activity at the moment, we will have 'played into their barrow' My heart goes out to the families of these service personnel, I have 'children' of a similar age.

eve, Edinburgh, uk

As the besieged embassy in Teheran is British territory, physically attacking it constitutes aggression beyond just (allegedly) entering foreign territorial waters or soil. This is more than Iran has even accused any Britons of in the charade they have staged.

Per-Erik Bredbacka, Manchester, UK

I think the British soldiers should be put in orange overalls and indefinitely detained as *possible* terrorists just as the Americans have done to so many in their phoney war on terror. Like Australian David Hicks' plea of guilty to terrorist charges at Gitmo, officials here and abroad should accept the soldiers' confessions as unquestionably genuine. When they are eventually released into British custody, they must be prevented from talking to the media for a further 12mths and any attempt to obtain a personal benefit by retelling their respective stories should be denied. . . . . it's only fair.

Van77, Perth, Aust

Suggested Remedy- 1) UK apologise for possible border infringement . 2)USA and UK apologise for the overthrow of the last democratically elected government in Iran, and reinstalling the subsequent autocracy, which ultimately led to.... 3)USA, UK and all other nations apologize for financing and arming the Iraqi invasion of Iran which lead to the deaths of estimated 1-2 million humans on both sides during the 8 year war. 4)Bush, Blair, Howard, and other members of the "axis of the willing" apologise profusely, curtsey, and perform a delicate waltz off the nearest cliff. 5)expose ourselves to more history. Consider all evidence, make our own informed decisions, despite what our governments, news medias, friends and heroes tell us. That should be the contemporary Western way of approaching this, and since we in the 'connected' and democratic West are not living in Religious autocracies, we should all have the ability to do so without fear.

T. Gladwing, Wellington, New Zealand

Another Sorry episode in a world gone Mad...........

amd, xeon, state

The internet wasnt meant for this :(

Dave, Wellington, New Zealand

The time is long past for a Diplomatic Solution. By all means, use Diplomacy whilst Covert Ops are carried out.

What would be the World's reaction if Iran did a 'Saddam Hussein' and placed the British illegally-detained Military at Iran's Nuclear Weapon Development Installations ?

I have friends who prefer to be called "Persian". They left their country when it was clear that Islamic Fundamentalists were about to seize control. These were the Intelligent people - leaving banner-waving Yobsters behind, who ONLY understand the language of Warfare.

The United States supported Iraq in their war against Iran, only to realise that they were backing one devil to attack another devil. Evil MUST be destroyed, or World War III will be, de facto, in place.

Peter Hartley, London, UK

I am an advocate of sending in the SAS and would not have hesitated to say so in the past. However after 10 years of this Government treating its people with contempt and spewing lie after lie I find myself doubting the fact that they were in Iraq waters.

Richard , Chelmsford, UK

Does anyone remember that the first set of cooordinates that the Iranians gave placed the British in IRAQI WATERS? The Iranians staged this to distract attention from their nuclear weapons program. Cut off their gas supplies, they can't refine very much or any of their own. Oh, can't do that the EU might lose Euros. "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Hitler proved that in the 1930s.

Chuck, Gahanna, Ohio, USA

What in the world are the Iranians screaming about at the British embassy?? Seems the Brits have more reason for grievance in this instance. I've heard many explanations, each more inane than the next. The movie 300? Get real, those events took place over 2,500 years ago. The media's references to the "Arabian Gulf" instead of the Persian one? Grow up.

Lauren, Washington, USA

The Brits need to take an equal number of iranians hostage and then they'll have bargaining p.......Oh, right, they have no regard for human lives-even their own. Well then, I'm certain that diplomacy will work with the likes of them.

Kathy, Elburn, USA

Its like a Marx brothers spoof.
What next?! - we'll see them saying they've converted to Islam?

This needs adding to the cataloguing of disgusting behaiour that nasty country enjoys: holocaust cartoons (the equivalent would be Bosnia cartoons), and death threats to Israel. Even when 'peaceful', they practice a barbaric oppression of women.

Joe, Manchester,

None of the British sailors, apart from the Captain and possibly the helmsman, would know whether the ship was in Iranian or Iraqi
waters. So the 'confessions' and apologies of two crew members
are meaningless. Why not ask the captain? Because he will tell
the truth and deny any wrongdoing, which doesn't look good on
Iranian TV. Hopefully, sensible diplomacy will solve this mess.

Nancy Ray, Adelaide, South Australia

I'm fed up of all of these trigger happy comments. Sending troops in and seeing thousands of them and civilians die over this ridiculous dispute, now THAT would be humiliating. Diplomats are there for a reason.

Beccie, England,

What is amazing is the limp wristed British reaction,which I suppose is symptomatic of the population.
Rather incredible that the tough Marines allowed themselves to be captured and then made fools of themselves on Iranian TV-where is the cast iron tradition of providing only name -rank- serial number.
Unless the UK responds in a tough manner,Iran will once again have won the round

Mike Fitchman, Avalon, Australia

Nobody can believe the soldiers confessed.I mercy these soldiers ,especail that women soldier.For the soldier's family,both of the sides should solve the issue single-hearted and faster as quickly as possible they can do.

pengchao, changsha, China

Personally, I would use this situation as an opportunity to improve relations. Perhaps Iran honestly believes the ship was in their territory, and perhaps the UK honestly believes it wasn't. Get both sides together with an independent mediator, share the information about why each group believes they are correct, and find a solution to prevent this from happening again. But, that is a solution for a perfect world....could someone please tell me how to get there.

KC McNeil, Memphis, Tennessee

Does anyone know if the British sailors found something incriminating on the boat they had just searched? Also "admitting" they were in Iranian waters would have the effect of legitimizing Iranian control over disputed waters, Iran will do more and more violent acts because it knows all we want to do is talk things over diplomatically and no one will stop them.

Solomon, Ft. Lauderdale, USA/Florida

Well the time has come i think to take Military action towards the forces holding the captives. This will need intell which is what we have been waiting for i am sure.

The embassy and the members of the FCO and Crown Service should be withdrawn and the Iranians sent home.

All members of SIS and other Crown services should make ready for War in the region, all student, holiday and work visa's from Iranian natives should be stopped and Iranian nationals sent back to Iran from the U.K and her territorys. Then build up the R.N, R. C.N and other Commonwealth countrys willing to stand by the side of our Queen and let these people know who rules the waves.

enough is enough.

Capt. M. Trevillion, Kabul, Afghanistan

Ok, let play chess with them.

Dr. Peter Queissert, Ulm, Germany

Several comment here have pointed out that President Carter's diplomacy didn't return the US hostages in 1980, but fail to tell the rest of the story. When asked by his captors what he expected to happen when Reagan took office, a certain Marine Corps Lt. Colonel simply replied, "BOOM". Yes, the fear of retribution is the one thing guaranteed to bring the Iranians around, and if Tony Blair would grow a pair, those British Sailors and Marines would be on their way home soon. Take one more lesson from US history while you're at it. One US ship hit an Iranian mine during the Iran Iraq war, and the following day, half of the Iranian surface fleet ceased to exist, courtesy of the US Navy. Tony, extract them with special forces, finish off the Iranian navy, and run their diplomats out of town. "Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it."

M, Fort Worth, TX

Mr Bret from Chicago....do you realy think that we can take an action without cost and yet we do not????because we are such a nice people????you must be kidding.....this is a war of chess and not military might...its the war of minds and not power of destruction ,like Iraq that we have lost so misrably and now looking for a face saving and hold on till democrat take over....Iranian have won both in Afghanistan and in Iraq...remember they invented chess.. just pray that we can come to our sences to cut our losses of American lives, and dignity around the world.

ron, los Vegas, usa

Oh children!
So my ball may have strayed into your garden.
Give it back please.

Mortimer, Shen Zhen, China

when autocratic military regimes take hostages, history shows the best way to deal with them is to give in to their demands. right? then they won't do it again.

pete, st. john's, NL, CANADA

The United States did not kidnapp any diplomats. We have however detained Iranian military trouble makers in Iraq. Thank's for your help Tom from California.

Joseph McCoy, Troy, Michigan

The time for diplomacy has come and gone. It is now time to take action!

Bret, Chicago, USA

Admiral Lord Nelson where are you when we need you?

bristolianboater, Sturgeon Bay, USA

They're treating our people much better than we have treated theirs and our other prisoners.

Their five people that we took a few months ago have dissapeared...no word since.

We torture, put bags over their heads, no news, nothing. They at least show their captured on TV.

We started it. If you don't know that, you have some major learning to do.

Jim Vincent, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Part 1 of quote: I share the outrage expressed in the British press over the treatment of our naval personnel accused by Iran of illegally entering their waters. It is a disgrace. We would never dream of treating captives like this - allowing them to smoke cigarettes, for example, even though it has been proven that smoking kills. And as for compelling poor servicewoman Faye Turney to wear a black headscarf, and then allowing the picture to be posted around the world - have the Iranians no concept of civilised behaviour? For God's sake, what's wrong with putting a bag over her head? That's what we do with the Muslims we capture: we put bags over their heads, so it's hard to breathe. Then it's perfectly acceptable to take photographs of them and circulate them to the press because the captives can't be recognised and humiliated in the way these unfortunate British service people are.

Jim Vincent, Philadelphia, PA, USA

I think that the British should take action. They are being humiliated on the world stage. Just as the USA pulling out of Iraq would show weakness to terrorists the British "non action" is showing the same sort of weakness. Unfortunately the only thing countries like Iran with fanatical leadership understand is power. They are the school yard bullies who talk rhetoric knowing that noone will attack them for fear of countries like France/Russia condemning their actions on the world stage. It is a win-win for the Iranians and they know it. They are a weak country, they flex their muscle on every and any occasion they can and this is another example of defiance to the west. If the British do not act the Iranians will gain more power and defiance. Noone says the British should attack Iran, but maybe they should send a carrier group into Iraqi waters and let it sit there, run some exercises and let the group wait for the safe return of their sailors and marines. Power perceived...

Chris, Passaic county, USA/NJ

Step 1:
Get our guys back home, unharmed no more than they are currently . Lie and apologise as much as is required. If they want us to say that the sailors were found in a fountain in down-town Tehran, let us go along with the charade and agree. Let them have the short-term advantage of an admission of guilt.


Step 2:
Retract apologies, explain why we value the person more than the politics, then punish and draw a new line in the sand;.. Back up with appropriate rules of engagement, a sufficiency of force and with an unequivocal message .
Cross us, suffer!

Step 3:
Apply diplomacy, offer the hand of friendship but , always, ensure that the underlying glove is visibly ferrous!

rf, scotland, gb

I can see this standoff extending all the way to the US Presidential Election and the next UK election. Some people just can't keep their hands out of the lolly jar.

Tom, Perth, Australia

It is way long past the time that British colonialists got their due. What the heck are british-usa imperialists doing still in the middle east?
I never heard of Iranian gunboats running up and down the Thames or Iranian fleets holding war maneuvers in the English channel!
Europeans and their american successors have no idea of perspective.

Jaime, Cochabamba, Bolivia

The fact that it is now alleged from the Iranian side that GPS shows that the boar was in Iranian waters surely gives the lie to the emphatic British statement that they were not. In these circumstances, it is surely not asking too much for the British side to admit that a mistake was made and that the boat was trespassing. Or if they want to refute the Iranian claim, then let them produce clear evidence backed by GPS data.
The Iranian nuclear aims have nothing whatever to do with this case. And by his meddling remarks, the U.S, president has, as usual, simply made things worse.

akai ringo, Tokyo, Japan

the British sailors were abducted on the direct orders of Supreme Leader of the mullahs regime, Ali Khamenei. Mrs. Beckett is gravely mistaken if she believes by following the failed policies of Jack Straw, the Iranian regime would show mercy to the hostages and release them quicker. Only a firm policy will be effective in dealing the ruling mullahs. As the Home and Foreign Secretary for eight years, Jack Straw pursued a policy of conciliation and provided the mullahs with enormous assistance in suppressing the Iranian people, advancing their nuclear program and meddling in Iraq. Similarly, he inflicted great harm on the Iranian people, peace and security in the region and the world. Emboldened by this policy, the Iranian regime is expanding its terrorist and fundamentalist meddling in Iraq and takes sailors hostage with impunity.

H. Mirmohammadi, London, UK

I've been thinking about the idea of the U.K. "admitting" that the sailors were in Iranian waters. There is the danger that if that were done, the Iranians could use that "confession" to implement penalties immediately against the hostages.
Or, after the admission, would the Iranians set up more hoops to leap through? Perhaps the U.K. has to "roll the dice" and go ahead and "admit" the infringement on Iranian waters, hope that you get the personnel back, and think about taking retributive action. Frankly, I think most rational people know that it's just a matter of time before the U.S and/or Israel is going to strike Iran (If I heard correctly a third carrier group is headed to the reagion). It seems that at least parts of the populations of those countries, and perhaps parts of the U.K. realize what we're dealing with here. I'm afraid once again the U.S. and a handful of allies will do the heavy lifting, only to be castigated by the eurowimps.

Jim, Los Angeles, USA

What about if Iran soldiers were find armed in UK territory? Iran has international rights to gain an explanation from UK goverment. These 15 people have nothing to do in other countries territory, since we are technically talking about an armed invasion. Further more, UK should be independent enough as to resolve this issue without international assistance and just apologizing.

Jacob, bb, France

What started as a situation that should have been sorted by diplomacy has turned quickly into farce. If the tables were turned and the Navy of Iran decided to skirt by an imaginary line just off Southampton would we take hostages and parade them on National television and then collectivily attack the Itanian embassy in London? I think not.

This is now a joke, our boys and girls who fight on our behalf, who risk their lives for us, in Iran, in Iraq and all over the world need help. They are being kept against their will. Go and get them, show some bottle and look after the ones who are always forgoptton about. We all should be ashamed of the way that we argue about the war in Iraq, ifs its ethically correct, should we be there etc, the realitiy is that we are there, rather , they are there, in terrible conditions doing as they are told by the man or woman who is one rank higher than them. Ahmadinejad is fanatical and playing a game that has no final whistle. Lets blow it for him!

Ben J, Manly, Australia

More yankee doodles, more shock and awe, am I missing something dont you have their people as well.This attitude by the yanks is what brought the head chopping mayhem to iraq.Now you want to bring it to Iran, you will lose iraq and i think its what is needed to teach you lot a lesson.The consequence of that invasion has killed millions, enough is enough leave the arabs alone

peterm, auckland , New Zealand

1st - give The Iranians 48 hour to release the hostages.
2nd- evacuate all British citizens from Iran.
3rd- surround the Iranian embassy in London and refuse to allow anyone to enter or exit the embassy.
4th- storm the embassy and arrest all Iran diplomats.
5th - block the strait of Hormuz.
The only thing that Islamist and Arabs understand and respect is FORCE. Dont be afraid to stand up for you citizens and their freedom.

Juan Carlos, El Paso, Texas, USA

Why waste time trying to talk to these people? send in the SAS and get our people out, talk can come later.

Steve Davis, San Enrique, Spain

To Chanting for Middle East peace, from Aukland, maybe you should actually read the Geneva Convention before making stupid and innacurate comments. It is actually Iran that is in violation on several counts. In fact so far they are in breach of articles 3, 12, 13, 14, 17, 70, 71, for parading them in the media and not allowing access to them by our government or a third party, and if they and prosecute the British troops for espionage they will be in breach of article 46 as well, which says you can not be tried for espionage if you are in your country's military uniform. We should also rmemeber that they were not actually in Iranian territory, but in Iraq under 2 UN mandates, so we could add kidnap under international law at minimum. It's funny that we don't hear all the 'human rights' organisations and bleeding heart liberals condeming this. If it was the other way around there would be an outcry.

J W Randall, Edinburgh,

It's been going on since the Jimmy Carter days. Iran only does this because they feel the WEST is weak. A bully will never pick a fight with one he fears.

Gregory , Ft. wayne, USA

Tom, Fairfax, of California is just another America hating left-wing Liberal. Blaming Americans for this incident. The Iranians arrested in Iraq were intel operatives working against our Troups. Wake up Tom.

Juan Carlos, El Paso, Texas, USA

The Iranian government is basking in being in the spotlight, and is milking the situation for all its worth. It matters little to them that they are internationally isolated, "all publicity is good publicity" as they say.

AER, Cambridge,

Well well, "first things first".
As Britain claims the abduction of some of her citizens the first step would be, to come to the conclusion, that citizens within the territory of the responsible nation may be under threat too and should not be exposed to this danger for an unnecessary long period of time. The reaction, which had to be expected, might therefor be, to withdraw the personell of the embassy in Tehran, in order, to protect it. Handling of the hostages would then be transferred to the red crescent.
By doing so, the PM would not only increase pressure and widen his options, but he might very well be acting in the only responsible way, even as it seems absolutely clear, that todays violence at the british embassy was organized by the regime itself, in order to put pressure on her majesties government. The hard question is, what to expect in the future as there is a very real possibility of extremist figures in Tehran, who might act on their own, even if a solution is reached.

J. Drzymalla, Münster, germany

England is being humiliated. Act now. The longer you "talk" the stronger you make the Iranians and all their Muslim allies. Its your duty England to act immediately.

Billy , Madison, USA/CT

Maybe the US should offer to free the Iranian diplomats they kidnapped in Iraq in return for these soldiers?

Tom, Fairfax, California

Lets first turn to the question, if the british nationals are prisoners or hostages: A prisoner is being held for actions or inactions of his own. This would have been possible to apply for as long, as the citizens were held for passing into iranian waters without permission.
But it was well said by the iranian government, that Mrs. Turney was about to be freed - a decision revised with regard to Witehalls crisis management. A person, who is held to force a certain behaviour by a third person - or prevent it - is called a hostage and this is therefor the term, one should apply at least to young Mrs. Turney and as there is no reason to believe that her colleages are held for another cause than herself, it seems apparently clear, that it should be used for all of the 15.

J. Drzymalla, Münster, germany

Iran needs hostages right now. What better time is there to take hostages as a bargining tool? In doing so, it will simply delay Israel and the US taking any action against Iran. Hostages reduce Irans risk of a pre-emptiive strike by Israel or the US. Don't expect their release anytime soon.

And Ahmadinejad does't really expect us to believe the soldiers confessed, does he? The confessions broadcasted were merely a result of intimidation or torture.

Robert Zee, USA,

I think it is barbaric that the soldiers taken hostage are forced to make statementds that are filmed then put on television. I'm highly offended that that yound woman is being forced to wear a headscarf. That would be like someone in an Israeli prison being forced to wear a Star of David.

anony mous, Massachusette, USA

The capture of British marines are in my opinion an act of aggression from the government of Iran. The British and Americans should respond in kind with surgical strikes of Iranian military installations until the hostages are freed. It is also my opinion that we in the west are becoming a bunch of sissy cowards against tyrans.

Sergio, Katonah, NY- USA

The rules (perhaps even the conceptualization) of "brinksmanship" are altered when dealing with such a radical (Iran's revolutionary government) entity, particularly given the substantial philosophical differences in their political views and their views on (this) life.

Mike Laurence, Collingwood, Canada / Ontario

Waste no time diplomatically. Get the hostages out
now. Jimmy Carter 's example of diplomacy shows that it doe not work.

Phil Celeste, Danvers , Massachusetts/USA

In my opinion british troops should not be freed but shold face legal actions as they have violated the rules of the geneva convention. Any country has the right to protect its territory weather it is land or sea territory. Will UK and US free someone if they illegaly enter their oficial province.

Chanting for Middle East Peace , Auckland , New Zealand

Actually I think this article shows that many countries stand behind us and we're not alone. Especially when the French Socialist candidate suggest sanctioning Iran, I know there's something positive to the situation.
Still, who knows how this will be resolved?

Fabien, Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Iran wants to manufacture plutonium in the worst way, so they can distribute it out the back door to the suicidal maniacs that plan to get into Heaven by killing as many infidels as possible.
It's about time the world stopped all economic dealings with these foaming mouth criminals or we'll all be paying to create the next massive war.

jon becker, Las vegas, USA