If we base our opinions on what we hear or read in the news, then we are all fools. The U.S. and Britain have reasons for what they get involved in and political lies may only be a distraction to the real untold reasons. The public, through controlled media on both sides, is never privy to the realities of tactical and strategic reasoning.

Regardless of bringing the troops home, we'll just have to send them back when Iran goes nuclear and launches on Israel as promised. Folks are very naiive thinking it will all come to a peaceful end if we pull out. This scenario would be playing out even if we had not gone into Iraq to depose a dictator who killed hundreds of thousands of his own citizens over the last few decades. Bush never did that here.

If you think Bush is a madman then do some homework on the President of Iran. He used to personally kill, maim and torture for a living and enjoyed his work as a trainer of terrorists. Which would you rather have babysitting your children?

John, Edmonton, Canada

Thge really absurd thing is that Iran and Britain as two literate countries should really not be in a flap for any reason. It is time that women took their place in all world governments and put an end to petty fighting.

Em Hawthorne, London, UK

Judgements on the Allies really aren't the question right now. Iran are making matters worse for themselves. Opinions on the forces and conflicting schemes which are riddled with politics fail to excuse the fact that Royal Navy personel have been held against their will, doing their job as part of the Ct-158 command. These are not clueless squadies who were 'lost' on foot. The Royal Marines exceed any other worldwide military training and do the UK proud. They are the spearhead of our special forces and in combination with the skills from the other Navy Personel, it is not a question of poor navigation. Navigation in that area rests upon 'he says she says'. Boats from the Revolutionary Guard stray into these waters but when have we ever authorised their arrest? If Iran fails to release the prisoners safely, I sincerely hope we cripple them. I'm in the process of recruitment for the RM & will lay my life gladly to defend people back home against belligerent and dangerous regimes.

Dean, Cambridge, UK

Anyone who has bothered to listen to the president of Iran would hardly be surprised, as he has repeatedly expressed his belief in the 12th imam, and indicated he will act in his official capacity to precipitate the fulfillment of that doomsday prophecy. He has demonstrated his continued devotion to this ideology with his actions, and he will continue to promote confrontation while trying to paint himself as a reasonable man at the podium of the UN. Soon it will become apparent to everyone that we are in another global conflict, and there will be no room on the sidelines. Will this happen before or after they have nuclear weapons? Will apologists like Akram and John rush to defend the UK as it responds to this aggression? My guess is that Akram will always side with the poor, misunderstood, downtrodden terrorists, until his dream of establishing sharia law is realized, and that John will only become concerned with these things after his drinking water has been permanently contaminated.

Bryan Brattin, College Station, TX

If Iran keeps messing around we may have to send in a whole company of U. S. Marines to mop up the mess. We should seal off Iran now. Nothing in or out, land , sea, or air.

Bob, Harvey, North Dakota

It appears that we are missing the obvious here. We are the hostages. Time and again this regime of religious fanatics challenges our position in the world of trying to relieve the suffering of the people in the Middle east and bring them forward into the present century. The war has been going on for a long time and like previous wars we all turn our heads to the provocations. They want death to our countries, well I suggest we finish it right here and now. Take out the entire Iran Navy in a few short days and let them slowly bleed to death. Defenseless, they will be humiliated into stopping their dangerous antics. Just think of these guys with nuclear weapons. What are we waiting for? Wake up Europe. You are on the front lines of the third world war.

Doug Manning, Hanalei, Hawaii, USA

Why is anyone surprised? Nobody in Britain or the international community took ANY action to object when Iran and its proxies kidnapped the Israeli soldiers [and the Israelis weren't even in a "disputed" location]. That signaled to iran, "no problem." Everyone better understand that the Jews are just the canary in the coal mine.

Robert Stevens, VA, USA,

If Iran thinks that this will cause the British public to get cold feet over further confrontation, they have misjudged the situation; it will only serve to harden attitudes towards the Iranian regime & Islamic intolerance both in Britain & Europe.

Paul, Vancouver, BC

No doubt the adventuresome Iranians are totally in the wrong.It appears the delusional Iranians are ever increasingly searching for British and/or American travel agents to help them go to see Allah faster.Hopefully this aid for them will come soon.

Thomas , Houston, Texas USA

It looks to me like the Iranian leadership and the Bushies are propping each other up by pointing to the threat from the other. Is there a threat from reactionary Islam at the moment? Yes, but there is also a threat from reactionary Christianity and from reactionary wings of all sorts of religions and non-religions. People around the world know who I am talking about without me pointing to all of them. There are a lot of them. What they all have in common is a warped idea of human nature and a desire to force their standards on everyone through physical force and fear. They think they can gain support through this sort of sick melodrama.

But what did the Americans want to do with the Revolutionary Guards they captured in Iraq anyway? Isn't Bush simply trying to find another scapegoat for his disaster in Iraq? Why does Britain continue to tie itself to this sinking ship? The Americans have showed time and time again there is no reward for this sort of sick loyalty.

Christopher Hobe Morrison, Middletown, NY, USA

I too want the forces out of this area. I believe we should not get involved until these countries evolve past the primate level of social order.

R. Hoyt, Atlanta, Ga

What possible intelligence could be learned from a group of sailors in a boat patrolling a bleak coastline. The Iranian government is using this cowardly hostage crisis to distract it's populace from growing disent within it's borders. Iran does not allow it's citizens to voice rediculous anti-government nonsense as is the privilege of American and British citizens. These hostages should be released now, not later.

Bobby Lee, Honolulu, Hawaii

It is very well understood out in the Arab/Persian world that Great Britain is indeed the weakest link in the entire western world. Therefore, these abductions will continue, indefinitely, until the British do something to correct the perception of weakness it often portrays. Dear British friends, it is my sincere hope that you do not confuse impotency with the delusion of being more civilized. Seize the day !! Take appropriate forceful action Now !!

Niwa, Atlanta, USA

Britain and the U.S. should blockade Iran until the sailors are released. No oil shipments out, no food or gas shipments in. No air travel.

Neil, California, U.S.

Iran hates "us" because of propaganda, "we" hate Iran because of propaganda.

I wonder what the truth is?

Starling, Lancaster,

This is an inevitable consequence of you throwing your lot with the US, whose own electorate has repudiated the lies of our administration. I pray that your troops come home safe but then bring them all home.

John, Las Vegas, Nevada USA

A week is a short time in politics. Last week many readers were welcoming the alleged kidnap of Iranian Citizens by the US in Iraq. Now that the boot is on the other foot, things don't look so rosy.

When will people learn, to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, politics is not that much different than physics sometimes.

Akram, London,

This teaches you Brits that throwing your lot with a bunch of lying Americans in the administration repudiated by our electorate can have consequence.......

John, Las Vegas, Nevada USA

"we know that the British and American governments have a record of lying to get what they want."

Like these Middle East primitives are no worse than the West for dealing in truth and not fact. Like, for example, our media compares to theirs. Like, for example, our moral position would be re. a cartoon about Bosnia, compared to theirs re. the holocaust.

For goodness' sake!.....we all know our politicans get a bit slippery sometimes. But fashionable denunciations like that have no place in a situation like this, and the real and fundamental difference between that mad-dog regime and what they are capable of - like threats of violence against Israel are acceptable - and the hemisphere we are fortunate enough to live in with freedom of speech, democracy, and a modern legal and political system.

Joe, Manchester,

Regardless of the legal nicities and the merits of the case, one would have to wonder how the responsible British and American military leaders could think, that any operation where western forces were in a position to be confronted by Iranians, could be considered "routine." Even if the British troops were in the right, which I believe they probably were, I have to question how they could be permitted to operate without proper protection.

Michael Gewirtz, New York, USA

I strongly support the opinion of William Lawrence. Never believe what your politicians tell you. (Remember the "Gulf-of Tonking" incidents?)

Dr. Beck, Köln, Deutschland

Whilst the Iranian state may be short on Human Rights, the track record of the British Armed forces regarding map reading is very poor. The British Army has made numerous incursions into the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland. Some were accidental and others deliberate. Most were dealt with informally and the British returned to their own side, other were dealt with through the law with several British soldiers pleading guilty to offences (e.g. illegal possession of weapons) in Irish courts. I sympathise with the individuals involved but British Armed forces must be more careful and prudent.

Fergus, Dublin, Ireland

i have to say. these people are asking for trouble.

If members of the armed forces are in uniform and captured by another country in peace time they can not be tried as spys. This is international law. It is clear that this is a form of kidnap, a pre planned assault on the U.K R.N for actions against the Iranians by the U.S Military.

If Iran thinks that they can keep doing this in disputed waters then i think they are in for a big surprise this time.

Well lets watch this space eh!.

Capt. M. Trevillion, Kabul, Afghanistan

I doubt if we will ever know the truth about the captured British sailors. Iran at the moment is an unknown quantity and we know that the British and American governments have a record of lying to get what they want.

William Lawrence, Bristol,

Shouldn't have been there.

Oliver, british columbia,

.Taking hoistages is the Iranian way - a hard line response is mandatory, otherwise they wil be encouraged to do it again and again.

Arnold Ward, Weybridge, Surrey, UK

Is this another ploy by our two "world statesmen" Bush and Blair to accelerate tensions in that region. We have already heard the views of John Bolton who suggests "a regime change", he is possibly unaware of the last "regime change" concocted by the "famous two". Still, seriously, we should exhaust all diplomatic issues to get the British servicemen released, which I do believe will be a complete waste of time and effort, but something that has to be completed, if that fails, I believe "extremely tough sanctions" would prove fruitious, I say that because the Iranian "public" are now pretty "fed-up" with the antics of their president.

Geoff Taylor, Jubail, Saudi Arabia

This is rediculous. Why does everybody coddle the maniac president of Iran? Britain and hte US should, together, give the madman an ultimatum - return all 15 men, unharmed, within 24 hours or else face an overwhelming military response.

m, Dayton,

Well, there's no doubt at least that the British sailors were illegally in either Iraq's or Iran's territorial waters. Just imagine if some Iranian ships were off the coast of Dover, stopping and boarding vessels as they pleased.
Iran may have nuclear ambitions. Well, why shouldn't they? What gives the U.S., the U.K., Israel, France, India & Pakistan the right to have nuclear weapons, and no other countries? After all, since the defeat of the Third Reich, the U.S. has been the greatest purveyor of violence in the world, and the only country to ever use nuclear weapons.
So much posturing. If we want peace, we'll have to insist on it. Our leaders certainly won't give it to us.

Peter Andrew, SAN FRANCISCO, U.S.A.

The evil regime of Iran does not fit with contemporary international norms of behaviour.It is a very serious provocation against the British people, and all the available options should be on the table, including active measures.The western countries should start thinking that it is unavoidable a serious crisis with Iran concerning its illegal nuclear activities.Time is running out, and the regime in Tehran becomes more inflexible and eccentrc.Thus in order to handle such very serious and provocative cases like the British hostages, it is time for action and comprehensive measures towards a rogue state and an outcast regime.Dr A E.DROUGOS

Dr A.E.DROUGOS, athens, Greece

If there is no doubt in our minds about the British Soldiers being in Iraqi waters when adbducted by Iranians, then to refuse to return them promptly should be considered an act of war. Iranian diplomats should be told first privately that they are under an ultimatum to return them. The Ultimatum should in a couple of days be made public and if they still refuse to return them, them Britain should consider itself at a de-facto state of war with Iran.

We should then consult with our Israeli Allies who have been planning the destruction of the Iranian nucleaur facilities about the best way to destroy them and use this attack to remove these facilities as the precursor to any further actions we wish to take.

I hope that the Iranians see sense and immediately release the soldiers, however to appease them is akin to our early appeasements of Adolf Hitler. We will learn to regret any weakness we have shown in a few years time.

Neil, Maidstone, UK

This is not a great suprise. Every action has a reaction, and the response to US snatching of Iranian military officers has cleverly been a counter-snatching of UK forces. This will presumably also deepen any rift between ourselves and the Americans.

Piggy Kruger, bridgwater, UK

There were no reports of "mock executions" and calling these British prisoners "hostages" is laughable, If they had crossed into Iranian waters, the Iranians were perfectly justified to take them into custody, and thus far that's all we know. The US should release the Iranians it is holding since the Iraqis say they are indeed diplomats.

hass, NYC, USA

why is it that when we capture supposed 'terrorists' and send them to Guantanaomo Bay we call them Detainess- but when Iran captures foriegn army/navy personnell in its territorial waters they are accused of kidnapping. Typical double standards at play. Also we can have nuclear weapons but also we MUST dictate who else can and cannot have nuclear weapons. Lets us have a clear playing fields-

Eb, London, England

I agree that neither the US nor the UK should be in the ME. That said, I also don't believe the Iranians are right in this. IMO, the UK and the US should get out of the entire ME, leave these Eligtenment-ignoring zealots to their own devices--and then trade with whoever is left standing at the end of the day.

Enough is enough.

D. Kane, Savannah, GA

The British government should give the Irans a 48 hr ultimatum. Either Iran releases the British soldiers or a naval blockade will be imposed on Iranian shipping. The pressure needs to be ratcheted up. A U.S. President by the name of Jimmy Carter allowed American embassy staff to be taken hostage. Carter should have threatened war. If he had, we might today be dealing with a much more moderate Iranian regime. Unfortunately, western cowardice and appeasement only strengthens the will of evil aggressor states.

Edwin Harwood, Need, Massachusetts

switch the forces in iraq to iran use the s a s and get them out

john farrell, nelson, britain

Let us not waste any time.I am afraid that Iran's actions are an inexcusable act of war, should receive the Allies'ultimatum to return the abductees or to prepare to suffer the consequences of blithering attack. Enough is enough.

ocean, Columbus,

Iran sadly underestimates the force that can and will be brought to bear if this situation is not resolved soon. Perhaps now would be a good time to deploy our ultimate deterrent.

Steve P, Leeds , England

Shades of the Iran hostage crisis of the President Carter era. Imagine the boot on the other foot; Iran with the military might the West possesses and the UK holding Iranian hostages - how long before an ultimatum to return the sailors or els, do you think? How is it that the West always fights the wrong wars the wrong way, then watches powerlessly whilst made to look foolish. Won't stop until the lesson not to toy with the West or else is learned.

Fred Hillman, Perth, W Australia

UK and the US should not be in that place of the World to start with. The Brits seized by Iranians are most likely spying and helping terrorists and zionist agents active in the sunni area of Iran. Iranians is in their right to capture these spies and terrorists and prosecute them. The UK and US has no leverage whatsoever.

Zak, Toronto, Canada

What possible intelligence could a few British sailors in a boat gather gazing at a bleak coastline? They were taken as hostages, period. Iran persecutes women within it's borders and takes hostages like cowards. Iran should release those hostages now, not later. Their leadership believes this action will fire up anti-west sentiment among Iranians and divert attention away from growing disent within Iran. The British people will not take this action lightly.

Bob Lee, Honolulu, Hawaii

there is enough military ships to stage an attack on tehran and there nuclear facilities and send a message to iran that the un means bussiness

daryl, regina,

'SHUN' Iran at the United Nations, i e ignore them in all aspects of their membership until they comply with UN requirements as to their uranium enrichment.

david, burkesville, ky,usa

It looks from the evidence - Iraqi sources, Washington, and the lack of any clear information on the subject from the UK - as if they probably were trespassing, or at least meddling on the border. Given the history of events in that waterway, that was pretty stupid, especially given the current tensions. I suspect that if an Iranian naval vessel started fiddling with cargo ships close to British territorial waters it wouldn't take long for them to be picked up by us. The immediate statement by the British that they were not trespassing is beginning to look like a backfire, making an embarrassing situation worse. The naval authorities allowing their men and woman to play with fire like this have displayed a woeful lack of intelligence. The UK doesn't come out of this looking good.

C Gavi, London,

War with Iran must surely be only a matter of time, the only question is which country will be forced to engage the Iranians UK-USA-ISRAEL or hopefully all three.

Peter Cronin, London,

My fear is that this incident was provoked by the UK so that Bush/Blair would have an excuse to use USA military might
against IIran.

Even if the Iranians are intending to build a nuclear bomb how can we apply sanctions other than those applied to Israel when they built a bomb.

Alan Hoare, Haltwhistle, UK

Thanks for the update news about Iran I just waould like to refer you to history books and encyclopedias and never call Persian Gulf Shatt al-Arab , Only Iranian regim Repesents arab origin , and they don't represent persians please I am beging you never evr Call Persian Gulf Shatol Arab because it is very ofensive to real Iranians and also people who belive in Bible and have respect for Persians. Other than that I realy liked the report but I am not going to link it to my weblog just because of that .
Regards

Parsi, freedomca50, Canada