When you invite the jackal to sleep in your den, do not be surprised when you find yourself being eaten.

R, Maple Grove , USA

To Nathan of Hong Kong: Malaysia will most probably NOT eject such people, unless there is a direct danger to Malaysia, such as proven involvement in terrorist activities. Please remember this: Malaysia, in fact, welcomes such people. Of course, the two-faced Malaysian Government will deny practising such policies. But there are typically two versions of Malaysia´s projected image -- one for domestic consumption, and one for the international community. The domestic version is the true reflection of the attitude of the Malaysian Government.

Kong Kek Kuat, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The American view points don't surprise me, especially Thomas from Atlanta...The first thing you guys think about is to "target" another country...It's quite clear that no one knows the facts about this issue, neither the British or the Iranian people, and least of all the Americans. The treatment of the "hostages" was shown on Television, buit all of a sudden they have been in solitary confinement, and tortured etc...Quite frankly, all this media circus is to justify the future actons that the Us and Britain have pencilled in...Attack Iran...It's so obvious it's shocking...There are two hypocrites in this world for all to see...Blair and Bush

Urban Guy, UK,

What planet is Albert Bammer on? Who has been murdering all our troops? Safavi should be put on the next plane to Iran, together with all those supporting him.

Robert Harper, Ayr, UK, UK

Im sure the General will deny any wrong doing!! And if his country is so great why is he in England?
I agree deport.

Pj, Nashville, Tennessee

Sometimes I wonder to what extent the Brirish establishment will be tolerant to such people. People who basically "guests" in your country, who have been accorded the previlege to reside or work in your country who criticize your government! They should be given no more than 24 hours to leave the country and banned from future entry.
In countries like Malaysia, Singapore or China the bloke would have been unceremoniously booted out at the orders of the Home minister!

Nathan, Hong Kong,

Maybe the next time Iran triffles with a western power, the west won't show such magniminity and restraint. A single oil refinery is a pretty easy target....

Thomas, Atlanta, GA, USA

If Rahaman Safavi thinks so much of his discredited country and their warped "hospitality", what is he doing in London? After all, he is living in a land which he crticises with freedom and impunity and away from a land that would severly punish him were he even to utter a word of crticisms. He should be summarily deported to the 'paradise' he praises and loves.

Malenkov, Watford, Herts, UK

For an academic he seems to be pretty thick!

I agree with a previous poster, deport him now.

Steve Adams, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Looks like the British have just found a good counter-hostage for the next time this happens. (And it will).

Richard, Hobart, Tasmania

They should have tried the soldeirs just like the enemy combatants are tried under the patriot act.
Its only fair that the prisoners get a state appointed attorney and no right to appeal
That would have caused some reason for gratitude...

Tommy , Manchester , England

So. Now we have it from a highly placed Iranian: "A tougher response in the future".

The Government MUST upgrade the Rules of Engagement so that this pantomime never happens again.

Tony J, Swanage, Dorset, UK

Deport him NOW. I'm sure life will be better from him (and his wife) in Iran.

victor, Malaga, Spain

Amazing was Blair's reaction to blame Iran for the four occupation casualties in Iraq the same day mainly I guess for domestic consumption taken into consideration the hurt feelings of the terribly tough armchair generals in the press.
Understandably their honour is more important than somebody else's life and so feeding the prisoners and not beating them half to death like we would do is hard enough to come to terms with, but then releasing them without anyone getting killed is totally unacceptable. And if that wasn't enough already some Iranian academic has the nerve to lecture Blair on diplomatic ethics. I mean come on already, Blair is by far the most diplomatic mass-murderer of our times.

Albert Bakker, Veendam, Netherlands

If the above is true, should Salman Rahim Safavi be removed from Britain!! Why is he allowed to live in Britain anyway? Is his country not good enough for him????? Obviously not, as he would still be living in Iran!!!!

Ali, Llansteffan, Wales

An amazing stance.
Even more amazing that this fellow chooses to reside in the UK and not Iran, where his conception of logic would be more fitting.
And then, having witnessed European muslims rejoice 911, one does cease to be amazed.
Did anyone hear Iran thank the infidel of the West for their massive support following the earthquake disaster in Bam?

Gerald B., Aarhus, Denmark

Bush dealed with Syria like Mr.Plair. when Syria arrested more than 500 terrorists prepared to go to Iraq,Bush classified Syria under the axis of Evil

Saria Nassar, DOha, Qarar

What is this guy doing in London? Boot him out pronto.

A US Satellite, RN GPS and the boarded skipper all corroborate the fact that the naval patrol was intercepted in Iraqi waters. This was a blatant act of agression if not an act of war and should be treated as such. A military response is required.

Dr Nick Ashley, Huntingdon,

Would we have anyone who could give clear advice to state if the 15 sailors were in Iranian or Iraqi waters.
I am afraid that I don,t believe either Iranian or UK politicians stating what they tell us. Where can we get the actual true facts and then get our opinions true.
Is there an actual agreed water borderline?

Ian, Newport , UK

Is the media not rushing too much in using words like "hostages" or "kidnapping"? It seems now that the adbuction was decided at a local level, probably in the genuine belief that there was actually a break of Iranian borders or that they were spying (as one of the sailors admitted to Sky news before the incident).
We are being too naive at considering Iran as a whole as a kind of mean and evil entity (like the dangerous idea of 'rogue estates' supported by the US administration) because it blurs the lines between the responsability of individuals within the estate, the government and the whole nation. Things are much more complex than that, and the media, although being an enterprise, should be as concerned with informing people as with cashing in on some readers' simplistic worldview.

David , coventry,

I suppose Americans like Jill expect Iran to thank them for overthrowing its democratically elected government in 1953 (operation AJAX) and installed in its place a dictatorship of the monarchy because the democratic government wanted to nationalize Iran's oil against British and American desire and interest. I suppose they also want Iran to thank the US for supporting Saddam Husseim for over 20 years with weapons, intelligence and training while he killed his own people and Iranians during the 8 year war between Iraq and Iran in the 1980's.
It amazes me how the Americans seem to always challenge the British valor and fortitude for choosing to deal with other countries with means other than bombing them. The US is not trusted, therefor they can't lie the British with fake "intelligence" into a war with Iran, so now they try to do it by challenging the British sense of courage.
Hopefully the British people recognize that courage is not to bomb first then ask questions,

pablo, New York, NY, USA

I'm an American. It wasn't my fellow citizens that were kidnapped, mistreated, and humiliated. Yet reading Mr. Safavi's words demanding a "thank you" for Iran's release of the 15 Naval personnel held hostage makes my blood boil. It's not a gift when you steal from someone, harm what you took, and then toss it back. What Iran did was an inexcusable act of piracy that can't be made up for by some gifts and a decision not to prolong the standoff.

If Ahmadinejad really wanted to make someone an Easter gift, he could start by freeing all the Iranian dissidents imprisoned in his gulags. I imagine his dog-and-pony show with the British hostages rang very hollow to the families of his other prisoners. Frankly, the guy hasn't changed much since his involvement in the 1979 hostage-taking except now he has thugs to do the dirty work for him.

As for Mr. Safavi, he clearly hasn't picked up on basic courtesy during his stay in Britain. A guest should not behave so rudely.

Jill, Pittsburgh, PA, USA