Scare tactics won't work. Iran (or their insane leader, at least) wants a war.

And since when do they care about Iraq? They refused to help when Saddam asked them to.

Starling, Lancaster,

Iran has learned it's lessons well, from one of the best teachers of our time.... Mother Russia, and classes have resumed.

The current world situation is almost a mirror of Soviet aggression in the 50s. But they now have added the twist of using 'friendlies' as their willing worker bees.

Nothing has changed, the tactics are re-invented but the goal is still the same. Only the player's names have changed...

Raoul, Middleton, Wisconsin - USA

This act of piracy, for that is what it is should be treated as an act of war. Let it begin.

bob, kos, greece

The leadership of Iran continues forward on a collision course with the moderate non-Islamic countries of the world. With such blatant actions, even China and Russia eventually will be embarassed by their association with Iran. As both China and Russia strive for pre-eminent world leadership positions to contrast the positions of the US and the UK, they will eventually need to distance themselves from the extremist Iranian behavior in order to demonstrate legitimacy. Due to their radical Islamic orientation, the Iranian leadership behaves as though they are prepared to continue the present course of brinksmanship regardless of the consequences for the Iranian populace. Without moderation, the populace of Iran may pay a dear price for the ill-considered actions of their leadership.

Lane, Halibut Cove, Alaska

Iran, represented by its government, has neither moral or ethical capital, or political authority to put forward any demands. The present regime has brought Iran into almost total political isolation, and has a record with regard to the economy that can only be described as a failure. This incident is only one out of a string of foreign-policy blunders of the present regime, and whenever the situation seem to get out of hand, these political forces in Iran, seem to have a habit of taking hostages as a last resort.

gre5, Oslo, Norway

Give Iran a deadline of 10 days or else the necessary actions will be taken to ensure the release of the prisoners.This is Iran testing the resolve of the west and if we don't respond with strength (rather than weakness), we all will pay in the future. No option should be taken off the table including military action and economic cooperation.Unfortunately force is the only language the iranians will understand.

Mike, Long Island, USA

This is another episode, albeit an important one, in a long-term generational war between totally different cultural ideologies.

Remaining pacifistic and civil will not be an option ultimately. We are dealing with a national leadership that wants nothing more than the demise of progressive western society. How can we have rational discourse with men blinded by backward, iron age superstitions and the delusional promise of martyrdom?

In the long run of course, as oil becomes less and less essential to industrial nations, this demise will come to countries like Iran, rather than any in the west. Even within the next few centuries, much of the Middle East (the U.A.E aside) will likely become a stagnating, oppressive sandbox, with nothing but palm fruit to bargain with. Wars with the west will be replaced by civil and regional conflict over shrinking water supplies as the planet warms and desertification continues. The clock is ticking Iran, and time is not on your side.

C White, Yakima, USA/Washington State

Iran is starting to get into deep trouble. Turns out when they gave us the alleged coordinates of the British sailors it turned out they were 1.7 nautical miles withing Iraqi terretorial water. What good sports we were for pointing this out, so they could change the position back into Iranian waters, which they then admitted they couldn't back up with GPS. On the otherside bothe the UK and the boarded Indian ship produced corresponding GPS which put the UKs soldiers within Iraqi waters. Iran has been offered a facesaving way out, which it has abjectly refused to take. Now they are resorting to blakmail and telling us not to make a fuss. It's obvious they are trying to stop an international embarassment, which would greatly damage their cause, and their excuses for a nuclear station. However we should be cautious. Iranians are Persians and their psyche is that everyone is oppressing them, so we should tread carefull, and avoid backing them into a corner, then they'll be dangerous.

Edward, Windsor, UK

Interesting that British hostages were taken and not American........oil shoots up a euro a barrel and the Iranian government makes a bundle.......I wonder if it made any difference to Leonidius that the Persians were stopped at Thermopylae............it obviously makes no difference to the European world today...........

Nathan A. McCain, Ramona, USA

Rob from Schipol, do you live in a democracy ? Do you enjoy your freedoms to post your comments from the comfort and safety of your home, without fear that the secret police will come to your door and drag you away in the night ? Is your country lead by religious leaders who dictate to you what your morals should be ? Have you ever been to Iran to know what life is like in a theocracy ? If I had to guess I would say no you haven't. Who are you to judge that somehow Iran is right in this situation and Great Britain is wrong ? What intelligence are you privy to that tells you Iran is the victim here of undeserved western agression. It's extremely naive people like you that put us all in danger, because you are unwilling to stand up for basic human rights and freedoms. You need to study Iran, learn the FACTS about that country's goverment, before you pass your simplistic judgements about Great Britain and how "wrong" they are. Our thoughts are with the hostages and their families...

Ian Turner, Austin, Texas USA

It seems it is perfectly acceptable for the US military to kidnap and abduct Iranian civilians and diplomatic staff, yet when Iran takes action to defend its territorial waters the hypocrites start falpping and ranting about international obligations.

Observer, London, UK,

I have served with UK Forces. Surely it is time that MoD changed the "rules of engagement" to allow vigorous response or defence at local decision making level. I believe this would be supported by local military commanders at all levels from infantry section (or naval equivalent) right up to Brigade or ship's commander. Could it be that british troops were targeted because the Iranians recognise that, under these circumstances we react very gently, if at all? This puts our troops in more jeopardy. I do not believe that the US would allow the same thing to happen to their soldiers and sailors.

Arthur, Wales, UK

Let's, for the sake of argument, say that the Brits inadvertently ventured off course into Iranian waters. Does that give them right to kidnap these Brits, parade them before cameras, and refuse to return them?

Hell no.

Mighty Mike, Chicago, USA

The UK should go to the European countries that REFINE oil into petrol and insist they delay future shipments to Iran (which imports 40% of its petrol). Iran is holding the 15 for internal domestic show, lets make it an internal domestic PROBLEM. This can all be done with quiet diplomatic pressure, or as Teddy Roosevelt said "Speak softly but carry a BIg stick"

Jeffrey R. Gibbs, Springfield, USA ILLINOIS

The democracies of the world should start “collecting” members of the Iranian regime and their families wherever they can be found. You can’t hide behind international law if you don’t respect it.

l.karremans, Heusden, Belgium

Iran stated that Faye had been seperated from the others for her own privacy & dignaty. It's obvious that they have singled her out and have seperated her so she cannot draw strength form her colleagues. They have obviously dictated this letter to her. It sounds like one of those unconvincing phishing emails you receive asking for your bank details. A credible effort, but very easy to spot. A lot gets lost in translation. Iran will destroy it's self, and the sooner the better. They underestimate the strength of British resolve. So does Rob of Schiphol (see below) for that matter.

DannyJ, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Britain has a long and rich history, and recently the 200 years of the abolition of slavery was marked. However, symptomatic of the larger problem: political correctness, degradation of our nation and its values, this occasion was one marked by apologies, and falling on our swords. Instead we should remember our culpability in the slave trade and more importantly mark the occasion with the fact that we stood up to the world via our once respected Royal Navy, blockaded and repelled those engaged in this hideous trade. This is something to be proud of! Today Britain is being tested by and evil tyranny which in our history of experience has never gone away unless being confronted and destroyed, and never by appeasement. Those powers that have created this self destructive national psyche have left Britain impotent to deal with our enemies within and have so gutted our ability to defend ourselves from those who kidnap our servicemen. We can only respond, as our quisling leader Blairs

delboy, chester, uk

Liberals on both side of the Atlantic are the same...they give the benefit of the doubt to our ENEMIES first, foremost, and always.

"In London, Vice Adm. Charles Style said the British boats were seized at 29 degrees 50.36 minutes north latitude and 48 degrees 43.08 minutes east longitude. He said that position had been confirmed by an Indian-flagged merchant ship boarded by the sailors and marines."

In their initial statement, Iran gave similar coordinates, realized their mistake, then revised their statement. Now the UN can't even condemn Iran for their actions. The UN is the world's savior in the eyes of liberals, but they prove time & time again: the UN is useless!

I'm just hoping Blair will grow some balls and handle his business...if not, I guess the U.S. will.

Conrad A., Chicago, IL, USA

Britain wouldn't be in this crisis if it had kept out of the illegal invasion of Iraq. Personally I blame Tony Blair for the way he misled the British public about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and his close relationship with Bush. I think it is time to pull British forces out of southern Iraq and let the U.S deal with the mess that they have created.

John Derry, Chester, England, UK

We should simply send in the Elite Special Forces to rescue , or give them a dead line , They seem to be testing British resolve but it has been tested before and we are a not easliy broken , My thoughts go out to the familys and loved ones of all the hostages and God watch over are Armed Forces

MARK, manchester,

Iran wants something. If this was truly a border issue Iran would have arrested the soldiers, allowed them access to lawyers and embassy staff (within a day of the arrest) and not released any videos to the public before the trial. This is obviously a political ploy and so far it is working. Iran will get what it really wants even though the U.S. and U.K. will pretend not to give in. Iran has nothing to lose and everything to gain in this situation.

Tavi, Raleigh, USA

What in the world is Mike Rigney talking about in his post??

The UK should keep up the diplomatic pressure, it may work eventually. If not then steel yourselfs and use force.

My prayers for your salilors and marines in iranian hands and may they be released soon.

Ruben Rodriguez, San Juan, PR / USA

Folks, I hate to say this, but the Iranians took the 15 Brit sailors hostage to demonstrate that the British are incapable of doing anything about it. They know that British public opinion is against any kind of military action and that they are strongly anti-American.

The British government relies upon the US to provide the military protection it needs. The Bristish navy is no longer a threat to anyone and although their servicemen and women are still top notch, the public does not support them or their mission.

It is hard to believe that, 100 years ago, this was the most powerful nation in the world.

I would love to see Britain rise up and deal with these kind of terrorist actions, because we would be right there with you. But they won't. Iran's purpose was to demonstrate that Britain is incapable and unwilling to do anything about the situation and to further divide the alliance.

Dan, crescent city, CA. USA

Regardless as to whether the sailors and marines were or were not in Iranian waters, is besides the point. If Britain and Iran had better diplomatic relations, they never would have been arrested, and instead asked to immediatly leave Iranian waters, as in accordance with international law, This is clearly being used as a bargaining chip by the Iranians. Atomic programme for hostages anyone?

Stephen, Oslo, Norway

Vincent,

The EU just voted 26-1 to loot Heathrow for themselves. Do you really believe they would do anything to help Britain?
How gulible are you?

M. Fernandez, San Francisco,

Rob from the Netherlands

Is Iran the same Country who denies the Holocaust and declared Israel should be wiped off the map? Get a clue fella. Britain has nothing to apologize for.

MCD, Elmhurst, USA

Another Security Council resolution? Why?

They are YOUR sailors; they are not property of the UN. Why run to the UN for nanny enforcement?

Stand up and go get them. Protect your own. And we'll be with you every step of the way. You always have a friend in the U.S.

Shoulder to shoulder,

Boyne McHargue, Grapevine, Texas/USA

It is high time the kid gloves come off. Iran should be isolated internationally over this act, which was premeditated to provoke and rile the UK & US. Pandering and appeasing Ahmedinijad will only fuel his megalomania. Economic sanctions against his crazy, warmongering regime will limit his options and potentially strengthen the hands of his opponents in Iran. The same goes for the Iranian nuclear programme; The Iranians allege double standards by the US in granting legitimacy to the Indian nuclear programme while penalizing them. They fail to note though, that India has responsibly developed its programme since the 1970,has never threatened to 'wipe off the face of the earth' any other country and never exported nuclear technology to rogue regimes.

sandeep, Birmingham, UK

Come on guys. Quit playing around the edges of this ordeal and do something about it. I've soldiered with Brits in England, Egypt, here in the States, and in Iraq. And I know your guys don't like having to sit back and watch their fellows being put through this. I understand your inner political turmoil and the left-right fight, just like we have going on here in the US, but these 15 Marines and Sailors need not suffer because of it. Shut down Iran's consuls, freeze their national funds that reside in your banks, cease all economic contact and dealings with their government and any of their companies. After that, give them 7 days to release your guys before you and your allies (I volunteer the US to help) begin naval and air blockades and if that doesn't work, I know your SAS is capable of doing wonderous things in the dark of night behind enemy lines (we wouldn't have special forces without you guys teaching us).

Erik, Houston, TX USA

This is deja vu. Think back to 1979 when Americans were taken hostage in Iran during the overthrow of the Shah's government.

It is the weak western leadership (aka Jimmy Carter) that fueled Iranian fundamentalist rhetoric and their cowardly actions.

Fortunately for those hostages, Iranian tough talk proved nothing more than a open display of bravado. Consider how Ronald Reagan's winning of the American Presidency was followed by a quick release of the hostages.

For this reasons American and British officials shouldn't take a soft stance with Iran. The Iranian Government needs to know that if they do not release the British prisoners, their will be serious political, economic and possibly military repercussions.

Strong leadership with with the threat of real imminent danger will force the hand of these cowards and bring the troops home.

Tim N, Milwaukee, WI, USA

I am sick and tired of people blaming the U.S. and UK for everything. This is clearly an unnecessary, belligerent act on the part of Iran (to raise oil prices or show how important and powerful it is). Iran has become a hostile, repressive country led by fanatical religious leaders and equally fanatical President Ahmadinejad. Nuclear weapons next? - despite opposition by virtually every country in the world. God help us.

Scott Werthmann, Milford, USA

Iran has committed an act of war against Britain. While I happen to agree that the Iraq war is a sham and that the U.S. and Britain should get out, I don't agree with some others who seem to imply that these sailors deserved to be attacked and kidnapped by Iranians.

Britain should defend its soldiers, using force if necessary. Iran seems to enjoy humiliating the female sailor and Britain in general. The response could be seizing Iranians in Iraq, or perhaps blockading Iranian ports. There has to be a measured, but strong response.

Jeff Smith, Westminster, colorado

Mr. Schiphol, you must be joking, right? How can you be so patently wrong and keep a straight face. The British forces were clearly in Iraqi waters performing under a UN mandate. It is Iran that should show some courage and appologize, rather than behaving like children.

Lawrence, Columbus, OH

If the Iranians dont want to release the hostages at short notice I hope that my country, France and the whole EU will
gather around UK and put a high pressure on the Iranian government. I think that the military option can be taken.

Rodriguez, Grenoble, France

This is a view from Latin America. Until the seizure of the 15 British personnel, Iran's image here was not bad at all. It looked like a peaceful country seeking their own path to development while determined to preserve their dignity by not allowing themselves to be bullied by the US.

But now that image is being completely ruined by the Iranian attitude regarding this incident. The behaviour of the Iranian forces would have been justified if the British had been deep within Iranian waters performing some hostile or suspicious activity such as taking pictures of Iranian naval installations. But in fact they were in the worst case only marginally within Iranian waters and performing a completely harmless and moreover UN-mandated activity, namely searching for car smuggling. Therefore what the Iranian guards should have done at most was to seize their weapons and tell them to go away. So Iran is giving innocent customs officers in uniform a treatment they should reserve for spies.

Latin_Observer, Latin America,

Rob from Schipol, this is the same Britain that liberated Holland in the second world war and returned your freedom. Maybe you should cease with your ideologically skewed rants and judge this incident on its merits. Why on earth would WE appologise to Iran for THEM making an incursion into Iraq's national terroritary and intentionally AND illegally kidnapping British soldiers who were there with the explicit consent of the Iraq government under a FULL U.N. mandate. Maybe you should be asking "Is this the same Iran that has a long history of kidnapping foreign nationals and soldiers, one that only days before this incident said they could easily kidnap "blue eyed blonde haired westerners" if they so wanted? The same Iran that is angry at the defection of some of their top ranking military officers and the justified impossition of sanctions? The same Iran with a history of backing terrorism and is still doing so?" The diplomatic way Britain has conducted itself so far has been exemplary.

J W Randall, Edinburgh,

The funny thing is, in saying hospitable, nice and so on, the only effect these hollowly chosen words come from appears remarkably sinister - quite the opposite of their intention - it seems very like dealing with children - how secure is ahmedinejad?

Andy, London, UK

Tony Blaire should give them until April 1st to release the prisoners and if they do not England should start carpet bombing Iran. Iraq was a diffrent situation America and all of our allies were wrong to attack a country who did not first attack us. Iran has illegally taken English soldiers in international waters as proved by GPS. Iran parades them on TV and forces them to write obvious bogus letters. This was an act of aggression and war and should be dealt with as such and the Americans as well as a good many other countries owe England support.

Patrick, Ft Worth, Texas

To Rob, Schiphol, (Netherlands)

Your statement is about as ridiculous as they come and further proof of the fringe apologists amongst us in the West. Where in the world has anyone mentioned nuclear weapons, reactors, or such man? That is completely irrelevant to the crisis at hand: 15 British sailors apprehended by a belligerent Iranian force in Iraqi waters. "Show courage and apologize to Iran...", are you crazy? Since you have faith in the integrity of the Iranian regime you should go live in Teheran. Or better yet, why don't you discuss your admiration for the Iranians with the eight British soldiers taken prisoner in 2004 by Iranian armed forces, who were made to endure mock executions, paraded on television and coerced into giving false statements as to their culpability in the crisis. It's people like you that keep people like Ahmadinejad, the jihadists, and rogue elements in power and give them motivation to carry out their abhorrant acts without fear of retribution.

Thurman, Berkeley, USA/California

To Rob in Schiphol.
Bold words from a man whose country would not even
exist but for the sacrifice of British and American heroes!

But I'm sure when the fanatics of Islam are murdering your people in the streets for having the courage to oppose them then I'm sure you can still run to us for help.

Oooops - sorry they already are killing you - remember Theo van Gogh????

David, Stirling, UK

The Netherlands may be apologists and dopeheads, but the British are not and hopefully will resolve this illegal kidnapping of UN personnell peacefully. As for apologising to Iran have the Dutch apologised to Germany for WW 2 yet? as they did not do very much else at the time.

Mark, Manchester, Uk

A glance at any of the maps published in the last few days shows clearly the following:

1- Everyone agrees that the interception took place less than 12 miles offshore.

2- The interception happened closer to the Iranian shore than to the Iraqi shore.

I am no expert in maritime law. However, it looks to me as though there is a case to be answered.

Alfred, Ryde, Isle of Wight, UK

Hi Vincent in Liverpool, how come you want do draw Germany into this mess after the British have messed this one up completely. No one can help you to get your sailors back which have been neglected by their own comrads. Next time before you play international police you should make sure that your "policemen" can defend themselves.

Wolfgang Fay, Berlin , Germany

Just stay out of the EU altogether, Vincent. Go the whole way and completely isolate your selves on the world stage in the same way as the US is going down the path of isolation. The US and Britain have lost the moral highground and with it, any credibility when making such claims. Wasn't there something about bombs landing in London within 40 minutes of deployment from Iraq just a few short years ago? "Those who live by the swords shall perish by the sword".

Mike Rigney, Cocoa Beach, Florida, US

There is proof that they were in Iraqi waters rob and i doubt nuclear weapons would be used since they would probably kill the sailors as well... i dont get the Iranianson this one. Create a fuss? they kidnapped 15 british sailors illegally and paraded them on television again illegally. Just exactly what did they expect if not a fuss?

Jon, Bishop's Stortford, UK

First they trespass into Iraqi waters and capture 15 Royal Navy personnel who were legally going about their invaluable business. Secondly, they accuse the victims of their contemptible crime of commiting an offence which easily obtainable hard evidence was always going to demonstrate beyond any doubt they never committed. Thirdly, they come up with some video footages whose main purpose is to convince grown up people that the 15 Royal Navy personnel are actually profoundly grateful for the Iranians' indisputable generosity. Finally, they warn people against kicking up a fuss. The absence of common-sense, as the present crisis exemplify, is often characterized by a lack of sense of humour, rather than just a lack of seriousness.

Andre de Souza, London, UK

Why don´t we hear condemnations against Iran, from those pretty muslims living in UK getting all needed support, for the release of UN serving British personel?
Maybe there will be needed a Mossad-surprise-operation, like those of Entebbe?
How much longer will the West continue to be provocated of the mad dog in Iran?

Ed, L´don, UK

The United States of American has stood by and come to the aid of the great peoples of the UK for 100 years. And the UK has stood beside us as well.

Rest assured, that whatever rambling you may hear from our Legislative bodies in Washington, that the American Military and the overwhelming majority of our people are not behind the UK, but we march right beside you. Where the UK goes, we go too.

If Iran wishes to test the resolve of the United Kingdom, they will test our resolve as well.

Godspeed to the 15 Sailors and Marines in captivity, and may they return safely and quickly. And should Iran harm them, or escalate this issue further, let them know that we stand united , as always.

Robert, Florida, USA

Is this the same britain that claimed weapons of mass distruction would be in Iraq, who claim now they were never in Irany waters. I wonder what type of weapons will be used now since the rest of the world is against clusterboms. Will they use nuclear devices now to distroy
the reactors and the country in one blow, or show courage and appologize to Iran.

Rob, Schiphol, the Netherlands

If the Iranians want will not release the hostages immediately we should request our EU partners the Germans to block any export credit arrangements they have with them. If the Germans refuse to cooperate with us on this one,we should refuse to cooperate on any future EU business with them

vincent, Liverpool, UK