I'm actually amuzed by some of the "Let's get them" comments. Oh, PLEASE!

How soon do you forget the MULTIPLE reports of various criminal acts by the "Royal" British troops in Iraq and other locations. Suddenly they are saints!
How about we wait to see who is telling the truth?

Do you ever wonder of the readiness of the Iranians given their rather very fast response to this situation?
This also exposes the truth about the British military..
Having been in the US Navy and watching the British "war machine" in the Falklands, I have but one comment to make... Don't go it alone! Make sure that you are part of a large multi-national force or better yet, just stay home.

SD, SF, CA/USA

I just can not comprehend how a British war ship engaged in a hostile zone could have been so completely 'taken with their trousers down'. In MY navy days,strict watchkeeping were always maintained. Considering also all the technological advances and cutting edge equipment available today it is just unbelieveable that their position should not be known to within meters. Should be easy to prove by their GPS and AIS records if any were kept?

Capt.Tore Christiansen, Ubatuba, Brazil - SP

I think that the uk should demand they return the soldiers now. If they don't, more aggressive action should be taken immediately. Iran has shown a willingness to play games, as evidence by the nuclear issue, etc. So why go along with the games. A firm stand is needed to prove that their actions won't be tolerated.

tommy, Los Angelas,

the muslim workds is under an offensive, what you can expect, when iran is doing with the nuclear program whatever they want, and nobody, do anything, no even the uno, this is a shame for the world.
sooner o later the allied nations have to take the actions that they try to avoid, go ahead now.

mario mendoza, falls church va, usa

Blair should admit that the 15 seamen were "High Tailing It Back" because they knew they were in Iranian waters and they saw the defending boats aproaching.

marty j beck, wellingtion, new zealand

Britain must respond. Iran needs to understand that aggression will be met with more severe aggression. The bombers in Iraq are not making their own explosives. Rather they are getting them from Iran. If Iran wants to misbehave they must be punished. Have no doubt about it , if Iran gets the bomb they will use it.

Russ Reid, Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba Canada

I write as an Anglo-American:

First point: All civlized peoples must defer to judgment of the citizens and government of Britain as to how to proceed in this matter. Clearly they have most at stake.

Second point: If the latter decide that there is no further point in humoring, placating, or taking seriously the apparent lunatics who purport to act in the name of Iran, and thus decide to act with force (which, for what it's worth, I'm inclined to think will end up proving necessary), then all civilized people must regard the ensuing struggle as their own as well as Britain's, and accordingly should offer the UK what ever support it seeks.

Solidarity, dear sisters and brothers.

Maynard, New York, NY USA

As an American serviceman who has served aboard helicopter gunships and naval vessels, I must say that I'm taken aback by the fact that the British Marines didn't see fit to repel boarders or defend their ship. Are the Royal Navy vessels bound by a particularly stringent rules of engagement list or did the Captain decide it was best for his men to comply?

AT2(AW/NAC) Johnson, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Iran's international credibility is in shambles. Who is going to believe Iran's claims that British sailors were captured in ITS territorial waters when it had previously declared it was not working on a secret nuclear program either? Kidnapping British sailors is a propaganda stunt designed to keep popular opinion against the UN coalition high. Secondly, it causes frustration and places stress upon coalition govt's who have to respond to their own citizens' demoralization and calls for military action all while having to carefully negotiate for the release of hostages. Internationally, this incident underscores the reality that Iran continues to be THE rogue element in the Middle East. Its latest prepubescent bad behavior indicates an unabated interest in maintaining regional instability with a long term goal of establishing a shiite region which it alone dominates. Like a misbehaving child, Iran could use a stern lecture and an international time out. Failing that, a swift spanking.

Thomas, Atlanta, GA, USA

Any born and raised Brit who feels sympathy towards a country that denies the Holocaust (perpretated by the same country that bombed the snot out of your cities back in WWII) that would be Nazi Germany for you "airheads", should be put in front of a firing squad! But, considering you live in Britain where you have the freedoms to express your opinion unlike in Fascist Iran, by all means, go to town!
Maybe you should immigrate to Iran and start a new life. And when your arrested just becuase your not a practicing Muslim send your ex-countrymen a post card and tell them what a wonderful time your having.

Norman Schwartzkof, Fort Bragg,, NC

England Expects That Every Man Will Do His Best to De-escalate the Current Crisis and not Antagonize the Iranians.

Rob Doering, Columbia, SC, USA

The Iranians aren't stupid. They picked the British sailors not americans for a reason. While I hope this or other events don't lead to direct military confrontation, I fear it will eventually. Events like this only give President Bush a chance to rally the american people into a fight, where if the Iranians negotiated instead, he wouldn't have the political capital to start a war.

marc, Los Angelas,

I note a great many responses from American's over the last day or two on this topic; some were supportive, some were insolently calling into question British willingness to act in our defence.

For what it is worth, my view is that it is right for quiet diplomacy to operate for a day or two, but after that, if wiser heads than the Revolutionary Guards do not prevail, I would support full sanctions and military action against non-civilian targets by our own forces.

As to how the men were taken in the first place; they were far from the mother ship, equipped with small arms and were suddenly surrounded by fast patrol boats. In such a case, would our more 'gung ho' American friends have liked to see the warship open up with major weapons on the vessels carrying our captured crew; or do they consider that the men themselves should have opened fire on patrol boats with small arms?

Tony Volpe, Newcastle, UK

Does 'Leslie of Guildford' not understand what the end result of escalation can be? To criticise those personnel at the sharp end of political policies is extremely unfair and completely unwarranted. British military personnel are closely controlled by permitted 'rules of engagement', stick by them and our sailors and marines run the risk of rotting in Iranian gaols, disregard them and one ends up with 'US style friendly-fire' incidents or in front of a court martial and end up in a British prison. How about we support those guys trying to do an extremely difficult job in trying conditions without the necessary resources and one hand tied behind their backs.

Stuart Matthews, Ottery St Mary / Devon, UK

Iran founded and funds hezbollah, fund the insurgency in Iraq, deny the holocaust, join with the KKK imperial wizard, says that israel should be wiped off the map, and trying to achieve nuclear technology. But it is the USA and UK the bad guys, because they have thrown out a man(Saddam) whose time in power killed at least 2 million people...

Those communists...

sergio, SA,

The last time I looked there weren't any fences on the sea. Its all very well to say electronics tell you exactly where you are but in pressure situations it is easy to make mistakes and it is often difficult to visualise your exact position without exact chart plotting software. Even that is not as reliable as everyone thinks. It follows therefore, that both parties involved may be mistaken in this to some degree. With regard to the actions of the british sailors, we are not at war with Iran so why open fire to defend yourself over what can be seen as a dispute over where you are.

In a situation like this, one would imagine just pulling out your gun would have resulted in deaths on both sides. Far better to just go with the Iranians and get the Politicians to sort it out which they will.

Its not like this sort of thing hasn't happened before, I just hope the servicemen are treated fairly and returned as soon as possible.

Gareth, Torquay,

No matter how you slice the present events in the Persian Gulf, and the future as well, the Iranians are demonstrating that they have brass, and they are not going to be pushed around like a little bamby. Good for them.

Shahin S., Arcadia, California, USA

To all those who are asking Blair to not be an appeaser, does it ever occur to you that the Iranians might be also adopting this same approach you are preaching. They have seen several of their high-ranking officials disappear in recent weeks (suspicion-kidnapped by western intelligence agences), several of their diplomats have been abducted/arrested by coalition forces in Iraq, and every day, some leader in our part of the world makes oblique or direct threats of regime change, and finally, the UNSC has just passed a resolution to impose sanctions on them. How long are you expecting for them to keep "appeasing" and not react?

A, San Francisco,

Political diplomacy v. gunboat diplomacy? The former will doubtless yield results; the latter could easily escalate into a war. So the British Government publicly condemns the Iranians, whilst opening diplomatic lines of communication both directly and indirectly to secure the matelots' release.

Perhaps the Iranians are short of some rubber dinghies?

And lastly don't forget that we managed to land a bunch of matelots on the Spanish coast by accident a few years ago, mistaking it for Gib. Conclusion: the RN aren't the best navigators & may well have strayed into Iranian waters, but this isn't the issue.

Regardless of where the sailors and marines were, Iran is making a show of strength in the face of UN sanctions. THe British Government needs to secure their release by diplomatic menas and NEXT time make sure they are better protected, rather than assuming everyone else is playing with a straight bat...

Matt, London, UK

Having read all of the previous comments posted regarding this incident I have been taken aback at the animosity people feel for our country and in particular our foreign policy. I personally thought that the war in Iraq was illegal and did not support it, along with many others. I sincerely hope that this conflict can be resolved without further conflict but sadly it looks as though that is unrealistic at best. I am dismayed that our country is involving itself so heavily in the middle east and now it looks as if we are about to become further embroiled. I am married to a serviceman and I have to stand by as he is sent wherever the politicians decide. I cannot feel proud, just extremely distressed.

Shelley, London,

Hey, I have a great idea. let's take all the left wing appologists and give them money and a free plane ride to one of these poor misunderstood countries they feel so sorry for! Do your home work. Understand, Freedom don't come cheap! Unfortunatly war,at times, is the only way. PLEASE, GO TO A COUNTRY THAT UNDERSTANDS YOU, You may have wanted to go to pre-war Afganistan, maybe stroll around Kabul with your girlfriend, you know, sing some songs! MAYBE TRY USING THAT LEFT WING CRAP "we're your friends" THERE......GOOD LUCK!!!

ice man, staten island, New York, USA

Tehran failed to realize that the US military and its allies are the most ruthless and merciless people in the whole world. They take what they want and they don't need a reason! Who are you to get in their way? Learn a lesson from Taliban and Saddam Hussein. Foolish men! Lest they come and drink the blood of your people.

Anthony, Oklahoma City, USA, OK

The UK Government should give the Iranian embassy in London, 24hrs to return the soldiers or ship out lock stock and barrel.

No-one takes a regime seriously, that parades captured personnel on TV and acts out mock executions, per the last capture (2004).

When UK personnel have to board vessels in this waterway, they should be supportted with Appachi gunships with orders to fire on any vessel endangering personnel. Aggression is all this Iranian Government understands

David Lewis, Thundersley, England

Considering that George Bush and Tony Blair accidentally strayed into Iraqi air space, and then accidentally bombed Baghdad, before accidentally invading Iraq and carrying out the judicial execution of its President, it does look as though accidents will happen. Britain and America should make this fact clear to the Iranian authorities.

Edmund Burke, Kignston upon Thames, England

All this " Iraqi or Irani waters" rubbish means nothing to me. All I can see is that some 3rd world country has dared lift it's finger and attack British forces.

If I had it my way I'd bomb their military centers, hard, every hour, until they release our troops, but Britain isn't a tough country any more, it's been rotted to the core by leftist enviromentalist values .

It's a shame because I really do love my country, but it and it's people let you down time and again.

jbland, Caen, France

As a recently retired "real" warrior of 20+ yrs, I think this is just another case of radical Islamic regimes trying to push the envelope to see how the "West" will respond to Islamic aggression. Iran must be held strictly accountable for their continual aggression against western forces in Iraq and elsewhere in the region. They must be put on notice that any aggression will be met in kind with devastating consequences.

meathead, London, On, Canada

Any sane observer would note that there was no 'espionage' going on by the HMS Cornwall. This is a deliberate, provocative act by the Iranian government. Recalling the abrogation of Locarno and the Rhineland crisis,an enemy is testing your mettle. It is time to demand their return and call the Iranian bluff.

The Iranian government believes it can leverage the world via hostage taking. It has worked before. The question is whether the UK has the courage to call them on it.

The US Navy is not terrifically busy at present and can target about 10,000 aim points quickly.

Cordially,

William, Seattle, WA, USA

Maybe now would be a good time, and excuse, to initiate a "dialogue" with these terrorists, pace James Baker and the ISG. Why not ask Syria to mediate? You never know!

The only worse action Iran could have taken would have been to have sent operatives to Britain itself, killing a few dozen people and snatching the marines to be held incommunicado, as hostages, for as long as they chose to.
Sound familiar?

elixelx, elx, spain

Balir says "It is simply not true that they went into Iranian territorial waters..". Why is it that whatever blair says, you automatically belive the opposite is true.

jack , london,

This is no doubt related to the fact that Britain has assisted our efforts in Iraq. Unfortunately asking for calm and diplomacy without the threat of force is empty. While Blair has been articulate on the matter he has also been ineffective, if the servicemen and woman were in Iranian waters apologize, demand their release and take action if they are not.

Perhaps those of us in the USA have a long way to go toward appeasing aggressors but I can't help but think that it wasn't US troops abducted because we would've retaliated almost immediately with little or no warning.

“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile hoping it will eat him last.”
- Winston Churchill

Dom, NC, USA

GB gives the impression to be both weak and powerless in this hazardous situation. The biggest achievement of Iran is to prove the inability of the West to impose its rules in the region, each time it is confronted with a tough adversary. Iran governement is well aware of the military limitations of GB which is not in a position to sustain a long range conflict in a guerilla warfare environment. Apparently it is decided to demonstrat e with a small scale crisis the anglo-saxon incapacity to win before the start of a full scale military confrontation

Bertrand, Berlin,

John Smith you are wrong, nukes are not the answer to everything like most americans believe. I think this can be worked out diplomatically. What gives you americans the right to say that iran cant have nukes. If america has nukes why cant they.

Harry Venables, Reigate, GREAT Britain

It seems most likely to me that the Iranian president is trying to silence critics at home by fostering national unity in the same way as during the US embassy hostage taking.
This is not an external political statement, but an internal act of near desperation on the part of a man losing control.

Mike, INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, USA

Iran has blundered with this latest provocation. It is in Iranian interests to keep the U.S. divided from its allies in the event of a future conflict. There is no better ally to the U.S. than Britain. By capturing British marines and sailors, public opinion in Britain and the U.S. will unite, and Iran's relative power position is worse off.

If the Iranian regime has any sense at all, it will respond to the diplomatic exit route Britain is offering before events turn for the worse.

Tony, Dallas, USA/ TX

I'm ashamed of some of you Brits. Whether they were in Iraqi or Iranian water may be questionable but your lack of support for your own countrymen held in peril is disgusting. When did Britains turn into frenchmen?

Brian, Syracuse, USA

Jim, Los Angeles:

Yes, Neville Chamberlain was taken in by Hitler, and returned from Berlin with a piece of meaningless paper.

However, not long after that, he gave Hitler an ultimatum. When there was no agreeable response, he made a speech which ended; "....therefore it is my sad duty to inform you that we are at a state of war with Germany".

Perhaps Blair will do likewise? Needs to be done.

Far too much sabre-rattling these days!

Tony J, Swanage, UK

It looks to me like Bush and Blair have found the perfect reason to go to war with Iran. No one was going to buy that WMD rubbish again.

Carl Douglas, Wrexham, Wales

Simply cutoff Irans access to gasoline. Despite all their oil that can't refine their gasoline. No shooting, just a very effective economic sanction.

Chuck Schmitz, Gahanna, Ohio, USA

It's obvious from reading many of these comments that a lot of people must feel the real enemy isn't Iran, a despotic regime that distorts the truth, denies the Holocaust, feeds a violent insurgency in Iraq and subjugates women. No, the REAL enemy must be the US and the UK, probably the two most democratically liberal governments on the planet.

Use your brains, people. Get a grip, OK? There really are differences here. This is not a time for playing Trivial Pursuit with morals and ethics.

Don, London, UK

perhaps the nearby vessel wasn't so nearby cause it would have been easier to spot in Iranian waters? just a thought

jesse, Brisbane, Australia

it is a difficult situation to us

fred, paris, french

That "nearby vessel" did notice, in fact saw all the events in full detail, ity is just that the mighty british forces could do nothing to to prevent this capture from unfolding. Superior forces prevail, a simple fact of war....

henry, aperire,

Stevie,

If you are not willing to protect your sailors with an armed warship standing by, why would you even think of trying to get your people back now by military force? The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, ridiculous or not, are just an excuse for inaction.

James Fox, Allentown, USA/Pennsylvania

Yes, peace now! let's all go sit in the corner and bite our finger nails. If we crawl around enough perhaps they'll leave us alone.

Reelthing, Houston, Texas

I direct my questions & comments to the Psuedo-intellectual armchair diplomats. Firstly some people have already established in their belief that they were in Iranian waters,this brings me to question; in Iran is it possible to write an article on internet or in a newspaper questioning the integrity or motives of the goverment? Is it normal or logical to be spying in the middle of the sea? Is it legal to deny consular assistance visits to detained persons? Is it normal or legal to parade blindfolded detainees on public television? Has the leadership of Iran never been involved in hostage taking? Have they never sponsored terrorist acts,assasinations or instigated them? Can the leadership of Iran really be trusted not to produce nuclear arms? Does a confession in Iran really have any validity? Finally can anyone really believe that a majority of Iranians have such a fanatical viewpoint as their leadership?

Mick Burkinshaw, Gran Canaria, Spain

What's most interesting to me about this article is that 70% of the comments in the only mainstream British newspaper sympathetic to Blair are by Americans.

Tim Etoleave, Wigan, UK

So in a reverse situation 15 Iranian Marines caught sneaking through British waters by the Royal Navy would be released without charges immediately after being caught red handed carrying out illegal operations?

Hello Sailer, Brisbane, Australia

I'm disguested by the lack of support for british troops in this "have your say" part of the site..... It terrifies me actually how people would rather support Iran from their own country.

James Brown, Portsmouth , UK

All these posturings by G.B., the U.S.A. et al are premature. The primary question is: where, precisely, was the British boat at the time of its interception by the Iranians? Only when we have a definitive answer to that, may we speak with moral authority and International Law on our side.

Karm Arger, Kent, U.K.

The U.S. has nukes and has used them. Israel has nukes and is itching to use them. Saddam had no nukes and got hanged for it. Iran has as much right to nukes as the U.S. or Israel or "Great" Brittain. (Or anyone else.).
The issue is so totally bogus, the amazing thing is how the propaganda spinners have so artfully sold the double standard. If the Western powers quit holocosting the Islamic peoples, and installing brutal regimes with bamboozled taxpayers' money, they Moslem factions would be reduced to fighting each other, having no reason to make their pathetic attacks on the "Crusaders." Any westerner not invading Moslem lands has more chance of getting run over by a drunk than frightend to death by a "terrorist." The real terrorists are in Washington and Tel Aviv. Al Qaeda booted the Soviets our of Afghanistan but not before bleeding the Soviet regime to near death. Who's putting money on the 'Coalition of the Willing'?

John Smith , Washington, DC

We will never know the truth about this whole affair.

David Nigel Braham, Milan, Italy

The Americans kidnap Iranian Guard in Iraq and elsewhere and lo and behold when the Iranian's do this with UK troops we are all up in arms; forgive the pun. We should just get out of Iraq where we do not belong and leave the Americans to screw the whole thing up, this is what will happen anyway and we only delay the inevitable.

Joseph Kellie, edinburgh, scotland

English should catch & keep 15 iranians in England, make a video and send it to al jazzirah !

dd, Lille, France

The US Air Force is certainly not stretched to any limits...
Need I say more?...

K. Bennett, Kansas City, MO

Iran must have understood that it could not simply abduct fifteen royal navymen and use them as a bargaining chip. From the logistics of the situation it becomes obvious that the men where somewhere where they shouldn't have been. If Iran really abducted the men from "Iraqi waters," then Blair would be blasting Iran for making aggressive advances into Iraqi waters. The region where the men were abducted has very hazy borders, and I'm hardpressed to believe that they were undergoing routine exercizes. By pure conjecture I believe that they were either flat-out in Iranian waters, or in an area of heavily disputed borders. I cannot reiterate enough that if Iran really took soliders from Iraqi waters, we wouldn't hear Blair saying "It was unjust and wrong." Instead we would hear the international community condemn Iran's action as an act of aggression and possible even an act of war.

Tom, Los Angeles, California, United States

I believe that Britons haven't got even one tenth of what they deserve. For killing 6 million iraqis and continuing to kill people in Afaganistan, they have no authority to ask for return of soldiers.
The creators and sustainers of Osama bin Laden should just leave other countries alone. If any country needs to dispose of all nuclear weapons and WMDs it is US, UK and security council members. For 12 soldiers detention Britain talks of law, what about the 6 million iraqis killed. Who is answerable for that, George Bush or Blair or Whole AMERICANS.
Just Remember that when you point a finger to someone, 4 fingers point back to you.

Umesh, CHN,

Oooooh, not an "act of aggression"??! Like, shouting for the obliteration of Israel isn't an act of aggression. Like, supporting terrorism isn't an act of aggression. Like, forcing women into Darth Vader costumes isn't an act of aggression.

On the one hand, these people are very childish.
On the other hand - eg. their holocaust cartoons - they are immoral and depraved.
And on the other hand, they are unstable and dangerous.

They need a smack.
They need an education.
They need, if necessary, a military response.

Joe, Manchester,

Let's face the fact that Bush and Blair have decided to invade Iran. The possibility that Iran might have nuclear weapons - either now or in the near future - is a threat to Israel, even though Israel herself possesses the bomb. Nothing will stop this conflict. America has won the cold war, so the UN Charter can be torn up and dumped by George Bush. Impartial justice is a thing of the past. Cowboys rule OK.

Edmund Burke, Kignston upon Thames, England

The fundamental irony is the hypocrisy of the oldest and mightiest democracies, both guilty of a long history of selling and using human beings as slaves, in painting their unprovoked post modern aggressions as support for democracy and repressed colonialistic ambitions as protection of their interests worldwide. The nations of the world are far more enlightened today than Japan in 1945 to be cowed down by the threat of nuclear weapons. More people today know that they themselves realise the limits of such weapons, especially as the number of citizens in their country willing to be used as cannon fodder for their adventures abroad reduces by the day. Everybody and his dog knows that the Brats & Americans will ultimately be out of Aghanistan and Iraq with less achieved than in Vietnam and a whole lot more of lingering despise for them around the world.
It is more of an irony because there are a lot of other aspects to them that the world has admired and been inspired by.

Dilip Mishra, Mumbai, India/Maharashtra

Hey Edmonton!...the Brits stretched to the breaking point??..whos fault is that?? I guess they were stretched to the breaking point during the Bosnia conflict too. The war in their backyard. Hmmm..lets see..that was Clintons war...when American aircraft outnumbered all Europes combined nearly 9 to 1 in that conflict! But you claim this outrage is Bush's fault for stretching Britain to thin! I find it so ironic that in this paper, only a few weeks ago, an article was written about not financing the British Navy's nuclear submarine deterent! Sure Blair is mad at whats occured...and I'm sure every Brit is outraged.....but they can't do a damn meaningful thing about it!! Good Lord folks....you once ruled the seas!! This should never have happened to any British Sailor or Marine! Nelson would have already had them out!! And to Mr. Anderson..yes there are 4 carriers in the gulf sir. Three will do something about it if asked...the fourth will sail in circles!

Murph, Madisonville, USA/Kentucky

How was it that these sailors were intercepted by Iranian soldiers in Iraqi waters with a helicopter overhead ? Why didn't the Brits avoid capture or capture the Iranians for being in Iraqi waters? If this is a "war" what were they playing at?

Ultimatiums need to be given and some heads have to fall.

Michael, Sydney, Australia

By taking your time in the implimentation of any meaningful western/international measure against the government in Tehran to suspend its nuclear program ,you have convinced the despotic regime of your inability to check its ambition to, at least, replace the western influence in the greater midleast and beyond.....If this situation continues
unabated I,as an Iranian,can assure you of one thing that , the world as we know it, will cease to exist for our children.
To understand what the Iranian regime is really after you should be an Iranian of a moslem background....Remember Ayatollah Khomeini said following the Iranian revolution that our final aim is to hoist the flag of Islam over the Whit House!!!!!!!
I as an Iranian residing in Tehran strongly believe that trigering even the third nulear world war to stop the nuclearisation of Iran is preferred to have a nuclear Iran

AB, Tehran, Iran

Duh -- memo to the Roral Navy - you're supposed to carry a "big stick" ... not capguns. Regardless of the morailty of the actions of the Iranians, the Royal Navy commanders are complete idiots for allowing this to happen. Someone should be held responsible. It is truly moronic of the Royal Navy to send men to throw their "weight" around, boarding large ships and acting like club bouncers while armed with with mere sidearms in rubber boats in such a dangerous and tension-filled stretch of sea . Criminally it puts UK personnel at risk & the UK govt at a huge position of disadvantage, giving Iran a powerful position of leverage - and all for what??? Did the Navy not learn its lesson from 2004? Who's commanding the HMS Cornwall anyway - Jimmy Carter???

Leslie, Guildford, Surrey

How thehell Blair knows "It is simply not true that they went into Iranian territorial waters and I hope the Iranian Government understands how fundamental an issue this is for us. We have certainly sent these messages back to them very clearly indeed. They should not be in any doubt over how seriously we take this act, which was unjustified and wrong.”

May be Mr. Bush told him.

m, atlanta, usa

This is a total outrage! The Iranians need to release the 15 Royal Marines and sailors immediately. These personnel were ambushed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. I'm sure that the British government is correct in stating that their personnel were in Iraqi waters. The Royal Navy has a superb record of knowing exactly where their forces are on the map. The Iranians are the aggressors here. This act of aggression will not stand. The United States will stand with their friends in the United Kingdom. Whatever the British government decides do, the United States will support. Now, let's pray for the safe return of all the Royal Marines and sailors of the Royal Navy. THE U.S. IS WITH YOU!

David C. Kinsella, Manassas, USA

We can afford to invest billions in a Trident replacement but we apparently do not have the resources to detect a flotilla of Iranian gun boats entering Iraqi waters and we do not have the ability to then stop these gunboats surrounding two British boats and abducting their crew. If this is really what happened then the Government should be ashamed.
Of course a cynic might argue that the reason we did not defend Iraqi waters against an incursion by the Iranians is that we hoped it would lead to exactly this turn of events - thereby giving us and the US a 'just cause' excuse to do something more dramatic against Iran.
Or, perish the thought ,maybe our Government is lying to us about exactly where our sailors were when this happened! Hard to believe I know!
I hope we get these sailors back soon but there are questions that need to be answered.

Kevin, Kent,

Hello, we are back to Blair's school- playground politics again.

Having proven himself to be a liar over the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, why should we now believe him when he says that out service personnel were in Iraqi water?

Or, even more sobering a thought is that these clowns running Iraq are shortly to be armed with thermo-nuclear weapons.

Alan Bond, Lancaster, England

To me this whole thing is ridiculous, point blank no argument as long as people suffer in the world (children starving, woman oppressed,no fair work force) THEN IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF GOOD MEN AND WOMAN ALL OVER THE WORLD TO ACT

Dont think for a second that just because your for peace your doing the right thing....in fact its probably a more ignorant stand point,
Im not saying rush to War because thats just as irresponsible.

Im saying every action has a reaction, Iran did this ON PURPOSE,
Britain stood by us in the USA even when surmountable odds opposed.
This is one Yank saying its time we returned the favor and GET theirs boys back... To me this should be No.1 PRIORITY OF ALL
Taking down down a vicious leader (regardless their were no WMD)is wrong, but kidnapping to get your way is acceptable???
Is this really what we want to teach our children?

James, Boston , Ma.

meanwhile petrol prices are rising.. rising..rising...

to the profit of Iran's oligarchy... err sorry Republic.

Pierre, London,

HE WHO PLAYS WITH FIRE , WILL GET BURNED FINGERS !!!! OUCH !

Lambertus, maastricht,

If we allow ourselves to be the spark that gives the US an excuse to invade Iran, we will be stuck alongside the US in that invasion.

This incident clearly shows that the time to leave Iraq is now. If we're not careful we'll be involved in a long and ugly war with Iran.

Tim Etoleave, Wigan, UK

Do you think that Margaret Becketts and Tony Blairs utterances on the subject will have the Iranians quaking in their boots? What possible reason have the Iranians got to appease the posturing by the UK, likewise, what reason would the Iranians have to provoke the UK? I would suggest we are the author of our own misfortune, with our competant professionals paying the price for the total incompetence of our political 'leaders'

Kevin Sullivan, London, UK

Either the British sailors were in Iraqi waters, or they were not. In the first case, why did they not detain the Iranian ship they had searched for being in Iraqi waters. If the ship was in International waters, the British Navy had no "right" (it only has "might") to intercept an Iranian ship and search it. Whether or not the ship was in Iranian waters is a moot point, because what is good for the goose is good enough for the gander.

If the Brits and Americans do something, they have no moral position to dictate terms to other nations for similar actions.

A Singh, London,

As a one time British front line warrior (unlike some) and now I suppose a so called back porch warrior I am still able to discern right from wrong, I also know that what Iran did no matter how you want to justify it was wrong, but by appeasing the bully you only show your weakness and encourage him to continue his abuse. Sometimes the fight cannot be averted by mere discussion in which case let the fight commence only this time lets remove the gloves and use the weapons at our disposal designed to silence this threat to the civilised world once and for all.

Steve P, Leeds , England

For those who feel the only option open to you is diplomacy, I feel sorry for you. Do you have any idea how pathetic that sounds. Historically diplomacy and the threat of military actions work hand in hand. If you actually believe diplomacy on its own has a chance you are as pathetic as Chamberlin was waving that silly white peace of paper around, and chanting "peace in our time." President push, whether you like him or hate him, turns out to be right. He named the axis of evil as Iran, Iraq, Syria and N. Korea. Well, guess who has got your guys? Notice they didn't take Americans. They took British. Why? Just as Boton said, the Iranians see the Europeans as the "weak sisters." I urge you to prove him wrong. Launch air and naval strikes against Iranian assests and threaten an escallation of targets until your men and women are release. Don't put boots on the ground. Take out their airforce and pound them from the air. Good luck.

Jim, Los Angeles, CA

If the captured marines were in Iraq waters then why did the mother ship not take any action against the Iranian interception.This sounds very suspect to me.Of course British minister will say they were not in iranian waters but how would they know unless they were there.
Now for Blair to insist that they were not means nothing.
We can only hope that they get a fair trial unlike those held in Guantanamo bay.If not then I suppose whats good for the goose is good for the gander.

peter, gold coast,

Iran just began a New Year, I hope the President shows a good faith gesture and return the sailors avoiding another confrontation in this volatile region, saving a lot of inocent lives.

War means human failure, please contribute to Peace.

nelson, pleasanto, ca, USA

Just lask week, an Iranian commander, in the internal military newspaper stated Iran's intentions, saying that Iran has "plenty of access to blone-haired blue-eyed Americans" and planned to kidnap them. Apparently the Iranians cant tell the difference between Brits and Americans. The regime in charge in Iran is very unpoplar with it's own people and doesn't know how to hold onto power without taking hostages and starting or unnecessarily prolonging war--they dragged the Iran-Iraq war on and on just to keep themselves in power, regardless of the millions of added Iranian deaths. I guess they're trying to stir up trouble in order to keep themselves in power. The longer they are in power, the more dangerous the world is.

rkelly, Leesdale, maryland/USA

It is quite astonishing, whether in Iraqi or Iranian waters the British troops were breaking the lar (Besides the fact the Blare having been caught in previous lies caries no credibility). When we accused Hitler of crimes for invading Poland, how is it that we consider it acceptable for U.S. and British troops to invade Iraq? Britain has no excuse, neither does the U.S. International law must prevail and both the U.S. and the U.K. must pay for the extraordinary loss in life and property caused by their unlawful international aggression. In a similar fashion to after the second world war, the criminal heads of States and perpetrators of these international crimes must be held accountable. Should not Bush and Blare have the same sort of trial as Hussein? After all their actions caused the death of more innocent Iraqi’s than the dictator Hussein (who was put in power by the CIA).

Clive, Santa Cruz, U.S.A.

If the British servicemen were in Iranian territory the Iran government has every right to hold them. We would expect the same of our government if an occupying force in a neighbouring country ventured into our space.
If the boat was not in Iran's water then the prisoners should be released immediately.
Where the boat was at the time of the incident is easy to determine from the electronic equipment onboard.

Malcolm Williamson, WGC, UK

Interesting proposition-
15 sailorsof the Royal Navy abducted from Royal Naval vessels by members of the "navy" of a 3rd world country, it's all been seen before:

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away."

Time for the Brits to either put up or shut up

Jbird, Miami,

Blair said "It is simply not true that they went into Iranian territorial waters and I hope the Iranian Government understands how fundamental an issue this is for us".

I wish the sailors and Marines a speedy return home, but I find it very ironic that they were in harm's way because of another "simply not true" issue that is fundamental to many of us - there were no WMD in Iraq, and there was no UN authorization for Blair's invasion.

Ken Belcher, Chicago, USA

Let the diplomatic channels run their course. If it seems as though the soldiers will not be returned unharmed, launch a rescue operation followed by punative strikes. What I don't get in all this is how these soldiers could have been abducted at all with out the nearby vessel noticing.

jason, usa,

The ball is up and the Iranians have fumbled. Mr. Campbell is quite wrong in his assessment of the British armed forces as they are not operating in a vacuum. There are currently four aircraft carriers operating in the Arabian sea, three American and one French, along with their task forces, et al.

As for Mr. Edmonton, he should pay more attention to the real world rather than worry about "unreliable facts".

Chip Anderson, New Iberia, Louisiana

Tehran knows, that with British armed forces stretched to breaking point in Afghanistan and a ridiculous war in Iraq, we are unable to back up any threats we might make. In short, this is another example of just how disatrous Iraq has been for British interests.

We now have no alternative but to use diplomatic channels and appeal for the assistance of the UN. We certainly aren't about to launch a military campaign against Iran, to get our people back, because we can't!

Stevie Campbell, Belfast, N. Ireland

The responders all seem to agree that the Brits hadn't crossed the hard-won centerline. But the Brits were interdicting an Iranian? vessel at anchor in Iraqi waters? That doesn't sound too likely.

The Iranians know well where that border is...they fought a dirty, bloody war for it. And the location of the border is a matter between Iraq and Iran. Britain courts this type of response when it plays this game.

Before anymore back-porch warriors advocate war on Iran, consider the unreliable facts which brought you to your current conflicts.

Peace now, Edmonton,