I agree, the Royal Navy has been disgraced. If you are going to be on Iranian TV at least sport a few bruises and some missing fingernails to show you put up a bit of a fight. Smiles, cigarettes and headscarves dont really cut it!

J Lear, London, UK

How come the theme song from the Benny Hill Show comes into my mind when I hear of the 'vaunted' UK navy?
Even the French would be embarrassed by the reaction of the sailors and government if they had this done to them.

van west, indianapolis,

We need to stay firm and talk tough. Very tough. Less of this mincing around and wringing our hands, Margaret Becket needs to send a very clear message to Tehran: Mess with us and you will get hurt. It is obvious the statements from the crew have been coerced and manipulated. Why aren't we seizing Iranian border patrols and claiming they encroached Iraq waters? We could give these jokers a taste of their own medicine, and parade them in front of the cameras, along with a few confessions in very bad Farsi denouncing tehran's administration, and the bbc can report every word verbatim as if it were the perfect truth.

Shane, Guildford, Surrey

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.

Victor, Los Angeles, California

easy, ade, we must first issue some additional "sternly worded" statements.

pedro, Orange, usa

Fact: 15 british mitliary personel are being held by Iran under the charge of trespassing.

Way I see it that’s the only fact here. I wouldn’t want to be taking any action that might make matters worse until I have all the facts, and that action includes apologising. It is not right to shoot first and ask questions later.

Why does Iran hold onto those 15? Whats their game? If Iran returns them, what does Iran lose? Its not worried that they’ll change their “apparent” story, because if they do, it will just be labled properganda – just as it is now.

Alex, South Coast, UK

"The Americans felt thrilled over Western ingenuity. But the Iranians, who after all invented the Game of Chess, had other ideas."

Pipo, Paris,

Why are the Iranians backing off finally ? Diplomacy ? Perhaps. More likely, the very real threat of military action.I can hear it already, "typical American cowboy shoot 'em up mentality".Call it what you will.Winston Churchill was called a war monger before the war broke out.Then when it did, who was put in charge?Sir Winston understood human nature and the enemy he was facing.Those of you who give too much credit for the Iranian regime being reasonable, logical thinkers, simply don't understand the nature of the people we are dealing with.Your reference point is from your own judgement,having been raised in a western style democracy, in a fairly progressive society.These people are a TRIBAL, male dominated society,with a fairly primitive idea of what the world should be.The Persians are advanced compared to the Taliban,and there are millions of them who want to live in a free and open society.The leadership fears this, and this is who we're doing businesss with.Remeber this.

Ian Turner, Austin, Texas USA

I think wading into Iran like the Gunhoe Americans would is the last thing Britain should do. Sure we could get our guys back but what kind of mess would we then be left with. What is being called "cowardice" here is actually Britain refusing to give Iran exactly what they want.

Andrew, Oxford, UK

IRAN -30 days from having a nuke - how can they keep the world off their back long enough to finish the project - how many can they package and deploy out the back door of their country while the eyes of the world are on a few brits.

Jeff Dunham, Yacolt, USA/ WA

To John in France: do you actually believe that these 15 brave sailors and Marines are not being forced to make these statements. They are being forced to say what Iran wants them to say. They were taken hostage by a nation that wants to provoke the UK and the USA. Do you see Britons taking to the streets shouting Death to Iran, Death to Iran? No, of course not.
Let's remember that Iran has taken the military folks as hostages. We will not hear the full and true story until all are safe back in the UK.

Marlene, Alexandria, VA/USA

It's lucky the armchair cowboys below are never likely to get close to running a country or its armed forces. There are more important things than "face" and the accusation of being fat and cowardly for attempting to find a solution that doesn't involve killing innocent people reflects rather poorly on the accuser. Perhaps it is because we have a position of power and responsibility that we can afford to stay calm in the face of such pathetic bullying and posturing. Whilst there is obviously some concern for the wellbeing of our personnel being held hostage (yes, hostage), I suspect the ridiculous antics of the Iranian propagandists induce only rolling eyes and shaking heads, rather than fear. There may be people across the Middle East stupid enough to be convinced by this charade, but it's hardly worth bombing Tehran into submission just to make a point. The bravado which is supposedly embarrassing to us is entirely hollow. Although we should keep the big ships closer in future.

Jem, London, UK

We don't know for sure whether the sailors are saying what they are saying based on their own knowledge, understanding and deductions of where they were when they were captured - if this is the case then Iran has the upper hand.

But it looks more like the Iranians are telling the British "Look you were HERE with GPS co-ordinates [X,Y] when we caught you, OK ?" and the British sailors just nodding in agreement for the sake of it.

CR, Peniche, Portugal

Why are you accusing the sailors/marines of "rolling over"? You don't know what is happening on the other side of the camera.

There are probably armed guards watching their every move. Although they say they are being well looked after we have no proof as we are not allowed access to them.

If I were them in that situation, I would be pointing at a map saying I had strayed into enemy waters.

Maybe "rolling over" is the only means for survival that these troops have.

Wendy, London,

Surely they cannot expect anyone, even Iranian citizens to buy the phony confessions. But Briton should see it as a plus to be dealing with a country whose government is so unsophisticated. I suspect Iran would like to come inside and join the world community where it can ramp up its own sophistication and create an affinity with the rest of the world. Briton should not underestimate what it can truly offer Iran and the world community by mentoring this country, but on very strict terms. I think Briton should make some offers such as helping to install channel markers, intellectual political exchanges, etc. and should offer an ongoing rapport and stick to that bargain, in return for instant return of the sialors. I think Iran is hungry for this and will return the salors lickety split.

Emm H., London, UK

I can't see how people around the world cannot be frightened to death over this move by Iran? They've just played a game and won. . they've just proved that the UK and the West are weak. . he will futher snub his nose at the UN (and who wouldn't? what a worthless organization). . and will build a nuclear bomb . . at that point, I'd bet you'd see Israel attack Iran and their facilities . . then we can say hello to WWIII. .

The Brits should have shown some spine

Michael, St. Louis, MO, USA

I'm certain these people were on Iranian waters and whatever the British goverment say it will be hard to believe and accept as they've lost their credibility long time ago, even if they were in Iraki waters as Blair claims, what exactly are they doing over there, what? the situation is very tense and they are not in best relations with Iran to go and provoke them as these sailors did even if they were just on the border with Iran. Even if they wre in Iraq territory it's a provocation and a lack of respect to Iran, specially considering the current situation. Iran should be an ally and a friend of Europe and not an enemy as some goverments like the British and American want. We can not make friends by antagonising them as Blair is doing but by collaborating , listening and understand each other, accepting in the first place our differences.

ana chavez, Madrid, Spain

Whatever happened to "Name, Rank and Serial Number" if you were captured? Whay are these sailors "confessing? They are no just as serious danger as solders/sailors captured during the war.

And why is Britain allowing an Iranian "cleric" i.e. powermonger, to speak on our TV channels? These people have been taken hostage by a government. A government that is currently attempting to develop a nuclear bomb and to take power in Iraq. What do our leaders think they are doing???

Stand up for the West, Manchester, UK

Assuming the British marines/sailors were in international waters why did they surrender without some form of resistance. Why didn't their ship support them and warn them that the Iranians were approaching. As for the confessions on TV the sailors/marines should be ashamed of themselfs and seriously examine their suitability for service in the armed forces. There were officers with the party these are supposed to lead men not carmly surrender. What has happened to Britian? The whole country should be ashamed.

john driscoll, Scarborough, Queensland. Australia

It's about time Iran traded it's Oil and Gas reserves for Gold instead of Euro's or Dollars. I'm sure OPEC would have to join up to this idea if were to accumulate any real wealth. Then maybe Britain would see sense and prefer to make a peaceful non-violent verbal APOLOGY rather than let it's own soldiers suffer. The Problem is todays soldiers are treated like cattle rather than human beings.

Abu Musa, Manchester, UK,

With this admission by the soldiers UK has once again seen its forces humiliating themselves and making the UK loose all its credibility. Along with all the other socio-economic problems the UK is a wonderful country to live in! haha

A.A., London,

What really irks me is that we're losing sight of Iran's game plan: negotiations over the British soldiers distracts the world from forming a united front against Iran's nuclear ambitions. Iran has bought precious time for herself with this clever diversion, and the rest of the world is silly for not recognizing it as such.

J K, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

also very disappointed with the captives' conduct.would the POWs in the Bridge On the River Kwai do the same?

Miziyu, Jingdezhen, China

Solidarity with British sailors

Hoot outside Iranian embassy in London (and anywhere)

Sean Shalor, Coventry , UK

Solidarity with British sailors and British Nation. Irán must be punished.

andres, viña del mar, chile

Yes , yes, I strayed into Iranian waters aswell. Now can you let the military personnel go now please.....

A.T. Martin, Warsaw, Poland

I am not a Marine or Navy, but have proudly served alongside both. To John in Nice.. these are the best of the best, please do not confuse this or draw similarities with the Falklands, this situtation is totally different . What would French Marines have done had they been there? the same!
When France and other countries are prepared to make a stand I would accept your point...
But they are not! so..
This situation is evolving as we speak. All the UK wants is its service personnel back safely.. what happens after that is a different thing.

tooldtodieyoung, Bristol, United Kingdom

Kiss Britain goodbye. "There's no England anymore"....

Larry, Sacramento, California

Why is nobody is assumng that they actually DID stray into Iranian waters? They DID twice before and it was admitted by the British government.
Just be big enough to apologise

George, Redditch,

By the way, what is Britain doing in those waters?
why Britain should be allowed to enter any territory?
They got caught, doing something they should have not done. Now Britain wil to face the consecuenses.

Tamara, Brighton, UK

This is all about posturing, if the UK were seriously concerned about life and all they wanted was sorry then why not do it, for example in a hostage negotatiation, if the person perpetuating the crime asks for only a sorry i am sure 99% of negotatiators would try that. All this huffing and puffing on both sides is what is causing this, in reality we know there is no chance of the captured being hurt, so to make this a possible pretext to war is silly at best!!

David Forjoe, kingston, uk

No one believes these "Confessions" they will back fire against
the Iranians they must think everyone out there in the world is stupid

Geoff C, Devonport, Tasmania AUSTRALIA

No, ade, we must first issue several more "strongly worded" statements

pedro, Orange,

Let us invoke the spirit of Churchill and Roosevelt and put together the tools to defeat the Iranians and get the fifteen hostages back. Let us not invoke the spirt of Chamberlain and Carter which only encourages the Hun and Persians to do the same thing over and over.

Bob MacIntosh, Billerica, USA MA

I wish that Tony Blair would have said, "We were 100% clearly in Iraqi waters, our soldiers knew the potential cost that being in the military would have, and we will have to leave then in Iran sadly to live their now. But they are hostages, and appropriate repercussions will be carried out when we see fit. We will not discuss our hostages further, until we address this crime in the future on our time schedule."

The game would be over and Iran would have released the hostages in a few days.

John Hotchkins, Nashville, , Tennessee

The Americans writining above are talking tough, but at least the captured sailors and marines weren't waterboarded and dressed in orange jumpsuits. The Iranians still have a few things to learn from the Americans.

Tom Jones, Houston, USA

It is 100% obvious these British soldiers have been coerced to make these statements. We will hear the real story when they get home. How transparent of Iran to release these "statements." It only confirms they have something to hide. Interesting how this event happened a few days after the world placed further sanctions on them too.

Adrian Kessler, Seattle, Washington

I'm sorry but it's about time all of these American bloggers stop accusing the UK of being weak etc... It is exactly your lack of diplomacy that has seen you rise to the top of the most hated list, now you're recommending we do the same?? please... Leave our methods to us, and air your irrational grievances to other people.

Whilst there is of course a time and a place for action, it shouldn't be until all other routes have failed. They ,ust be given a chance to do the right thing.

Freddie Bellhouse, London, UK

'Precisely because the Lager was a great machine to reduce us to beasts, we must not become beasts' said Primo Levy, a survivor of Auschwitz, in his book “If This is a Man”.

Britain must not allow herself to be provoked, blackmailed or bullied.

Iran will certainly make a mistake in the future, if it persists on an apology, because any such apparent act of courtesy will surely lay a new foundation of future hostility.

If diplomacy is the noble art of lying for your country then the prestidigitators in the foreign service in the two countries should be allowed to quietly get on with it, while their political masters play to their respective galleries with due exaggerated flourish.

a Brit, Berkhamsted, UK

Iran doesn't seem to have the technology to back up any of their claims of territorial breach, providing a questionable GPS reading. Also the entire public demonstration and confessions, are only a ploy to buy time. They are dragging this out on purpose. I can only conclude they need valuable time to focus their attention on building atomic weapons. They want to make breif-case bombs to aid in their terrorist efforts some day. They need time, and this is just a ploy, a distraction. Someday, they will be dangerous, but now they are just playing poker with the world.

Jeff Dunham, Yacolt, USA/ WA

Ordinary sailors and marines aren't told details about where they are going by their officers in normal military practice. Confessions from just the officers would have been much more believable. The Iranians obviously haven't thought this story out logically to cover themselves.

Philip, San Francisco, USA

In reality only the navigator and Captain would know the precise location of the boat so the confessions are obviously conjured up from sailors with no real knowledge.

Michael Lawrence, Melbourne, Florida

Take away their iPods would be a crime against humanity, that would be a new low even for Ahmadinejad and his henchmen. I do not think them capable of crossing that line.

John Tanner MIRC, Halifax, VA, USA

At least the british army are actually getting involved, France and italy are nowhere to be seen as usual, oh and didnt Italy pay millions of dollars to get their hostages back in Irag much against the advice of the US and the UK. Oh and as for the Americans what happened in 1980 with Jimmy Carter? 400+ days was it? Do me a favor we play fair and hard, watch this space.

leo holker, london, United Kingdom

John, I think you should refrain from unhelpful comments such as this. How can you possibly know what has prompted the Marines to make these "confessions"? I think you should hope that the personel are released safely and as soon as possible before you make uneducated judgements.

Russ, Watford, England

The reason that our sailors have admitted to being in Iranian waters is that it is now Military policy to give captors the answer they want, true or not, to keep yourself safe. Its no longer Name, Rank, Number.

There are two things we should learn from this debacle.
Firstly, the UN is a toothless, spineless organisation, who wont even properly condemn Iran, despite our brave soldiers being on UN mandates at the time of capture.
Secondly, the EU is just as toothless, and we should look elsewhere for our political alliances.

Damian, Manchester, UK

Could I just throw in a supposition here to counter the catcalls against the soldiers' confessions.

They are some kids who have not had any contact with the outside world.

It is possible that they have been fed media reports telling them that they were technically within Iranian waters - possibly even doctored British media reports - convincing them that they were indeed at fault.

A further step could be that they've been told that the only way they're going to be released, and save their government from international condemnation for this transgression, is to confess to this fact.

The blocking of any access to these individuals supports the argument that they've been carefully groomed by these isolated channels. Who knows, they could even have someone pretending be a British diplomat convincing them of these facts. Let's not judge them until we know the facts.

Mark, Woking, UK

Disgraceful. It is obvious that these confessions were forced, and what right do they have to control US foreign policy. GWB is always nonrational, but at least he is allowed to because we have a concept of freedom of speech.

Ben, York,

Whats the issue here? They're mocking us and they've got oil? I thought we take over a country when that happens?

ade, canary wharf, UK

Its been over a week, and the standard procedure for British military personnel if captured is to try and give your captors nothing for a week, by which time anything operational sensitive can be covered, and then do what you need to survive. That the two ranking officers did this, and the rest followed, is entirely reasonable. The language of Captain Air in particular tells all you need to know about what he thinks. When was last time you heard an RM officer saying he was "apparently" at a location, and refer to a naval chart as a map?

Coerced "confessions" aside, what next? And why does our media take such delight in re-transmitting their propaganda? Its not Big Brother does Tehran you know, its our service people illegally being abducted, held hostage, and facing possible execution. Do you want to revel in showing that too?

G, London,

If it will make Mahmoud Ahmadinejad feel any better about himself then I confess to being there as well! Hell! let's start a confessional blog and we can all admit to being in his pond. Then he can put his toy's back in his pram.

jan woltynski, paris, France

Solidarity with British sailors

Hoot outside Iranian embassy in London (and anywhere)

Sean Shalor, Coventry, UK

There are no reasons not to believe that the "confessions" are nothing but the result of mental torture. PM Blair must stand firm. We need no new Chamberlain.

kh, Drammen, Norway

There is no doubt at all that,the current confessions of the 15 is not voluntary.
What they are paraded on television to say represents what the iranian authorities want to say to the world.
What i want to sugest is that, Britain for now must use dialogue and diplomacy to secure the release of the 15.
Anything short of dialogue, in my opinion may expose the captives to danger.

AKILU SAYIBU, Bristol, U. K.

The Brits were it seems in Iranian waters - but why?

Nazih Musa, Baghadd,

Mad dictator, persecution of the innocent, overblown media coverage... In many ways it's lucky that Mugabe doesn't collect sailors, or have any oil or he'd be truly screwed.

ade, canary wharf, UK

Sounds like good old re-education is alive and well. Why did they 'confess'? With modern drugs, it is impossible to hold back anything. They knew nothing, and were told to do whatever is needed to come home. Strategy, not brute force.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Texas

Yes, let's bomb them Iranians back to the stone age where they belong!
Folks, don't you realise you're sounding exactly like the Iranian hardliners?

Peter, altdorf, Germany

Not even the majority of the British people is buying Mr. Blair story and the world is not supporting Britain as the Government is trying to show.
An appology would solve this but it is not what Great Britain and America want. (Just look at their choice of words.)
Showing the Iranians as babarians demons would help justifying future military intervension in the area to protect British, Jewish and American interests.

Pedro Antonio, Sao Paulo,

Perhaps if the UK, like the rest of Europe didn't respond to 9/11 by cutting their military budgets, Iran would take them more seriously.

Perry Ro binson, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA

For once, I think G.W. Bush style of foreign policy and diplomacy are needed here. Park 3 navy groups on the supposed border between Iraqi and Iranian waters, and force the border.

Once Iran is done parading their hostages around, they will realize that this will not illicit the end of the nuclear row, and they will realize the storm they have created. Once England gets the hostages from Iran back, they should recall their ambassador, expel Iran's ambassador, and deport any and all Iranians from the nation. Deny any and all visa's regardless of their purpose.

Iran have shattered all trust, and cannot be trusted, even on a diplomatic level. They have shown that they will manipulate any and all means at their disposal to get their way. The staged "confessions" are a joke. I would think that Iran would at least hire someone with a literacy level above "brainwashed" to script those agenda riddled "confessions"

Robert, Los Angeles, USA

You have to take what these creatures say with a huge pinch of salt. Until I hear them all publicly rolling over and 'admitting' to entering Iranian waters I shall assume that their integrity is still intact.

But I do dispair of the speed with which our 'brave' fighters appear to have caved in. What on earth did the Iranians do to them to make them so willing to humiliate themselves and their country? Threaten to take away their iPods?

David Garfield, London, UK

So I'm guessing that everyone in Britain is turning off all unnecessary lights and switching their bulbs to those pathetic flourescent bulbs like Hillary does to really show the Iranians you mean business.

Ken, Clarksville, USA

Grow some balls UK

Chuck N., Texas,

And again Britain roles over and accepts humilliation at the hands of the Iranian regime.
Makes even the objective observer wonder wether Iran was telling the truth (and the British lieing) about the incident.

Why is it these days that this kind of regimes seem to be a lot better in playing the media and public opinion than democratic states?

Maarten, Amsterdam,

Where was Lord Nelson? Oh yes, he is dead.

A. Davis, League City, Texas, USA

The ancestors and builders of the British Empire are turning over in their graves looking at how fat and coward nowdays Brits turned out to be.
Were they alive today iranians would have by now been turned to dust.

Rodolfo, Milano, Italy

my god, stop acting like girls and do something to get your troops back already.

Piu, Singapore,

they semed to roll over very fast , thought the british marines are the best of the best ? , the brave soldiers from the falklands must be turning in their graves

John, nice, france

Friends, if you insist on treating this like a gentleman's game, prepare to lower yourselves until the other side decides you've been punished enough and been taught your lesson.

Dan Friedman, New York City, USA

What are you guys going to do if these fools in Tehran attack and take over your embassy? You (we) are dealing with a threat that is every bit as evil as was Germany in the 1930s. Somebody had better put the Iranians on the defensive before it is too late. There in nothing funny or ambiguous about it -- we are all facing down WW4 here.

Paul W., San Jose, California

Its very sickening to see how an Islamic state like Iran treats other peoples citzens. Small wonder they have become isolated and seen as state terrorists by some. The problem is not with the people of Iran but its with the president who is a big-head show off. While his people suffer under economic repression he is beating war drums.He is behaviour is like a school kid. He should certainly not lecture Bush or Blair on good behaviour. They have compassion whereas he is full of hate and spite. He should grow up and free the innocent hostages immediately.

R Singh, London, UK

Where was Lord Nelson? Oh, he is dead isn't he.

A. Davis, League City, Texas, USA

It is incorrect in law for this article and for the British government to claim the personnel were inside Iraqi waters as, technically, the marine border is in dispute. Borders must be fromally agreed in treaties between countries. Iran and Iraq do not agree and do not have a current treaty governing marine borders.

Hence the more accurate description is that the British were in waters whose ownership has been in dispute between Iraq and Iran for decades.

Clive Astle, Banksia Beach, Australia

Get our service personnal back but whatever means are necessary. if it requires direct action then use direct action.
After all it is only a tin pot country

Mr Dave Bennett, kings langley,

If UK forces did stray into Iranian waters, why did the Iranians not film the incursion and report it to the UN ? The whole world knows that parading service personnel on television with mock confessions only betrays a corrupt regime with no regard for human rights or the truth. I must admit I sympathised with Iran prior to this incident - I mean why should Israel have nuclear weapons but not Iran? Now I know why.

crashingdasingkid, wirral, uk

I wonder if any of you have ever been in a dinghy.
Anyone who has been to sea, know that on the northern hemisphere the dominant wint is west/south west - because of the rotation of the earth.

Anyone who has - knows how fast the wind will take this 500 meters - which is what Tony Blair claims it was in Iraqi waters. This is also about the thickness of the ink used on the map to mark the line.

Mr. Tony Blair did not get the support of the UN, as he sought, most likely because he failed to provide evidence. I am astonished that a civilised community can keep on insisting that "we did nothing wrong". In school we learned that once caught, the best strategy was just to face the music, and take what is coming.

That also applies to Tony Blair and others in the cabinet.

K.H.Flottorp, Oslo/London, Norway/UK