For the first time since Britain’s crisis with Iran began 11 days ago, there now seems a determination by both sides to seek a peaceful and rapid end to the plight of the 15 British Marines and sailors held by Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

Tony Blair’s remarks today in Scotland were very candid. In essence he said that we have a window of 48 hour to conclude a deal. He appeared to be very encouraged by the remarks on Monday made by Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, who said that Tehran was no longer considering putting the British captives on trial and was seeking an early diplomatic solution to the stalemate.

It is understood that the details of a possible deal are being worked out in Tehran between British diplomats and Iranians officials. The key to ending the crisis will be to find wording for a statement that both sides can consider a victory.

For Iran that will mean a promise by Britain not to enter Iranian waters again without permission. For Britain it will mean securing the return of its personnel without admitting that they were taken in Iranian waters.

The Prime Minister’s mention of a two-day deadline is probably a reference to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He was supposed to give a press conference today, where it was expected that he would use the crisis to attack Britain and the West.

If he remains silent on the subject it could help officials reach a deal without a fresh burst of inflammatory rhetoric damaging their efforts.

While Mr Blair insisted that he was not looking for confrontation, he also reminded the Iranians of what tools were at Britain’s disposal if “this thing has to be hard and tough and long”.

A military option is not regarded as possible but there are plenty of other avenues available to Mr Blair.

Last week the British managed to get the United Nations Security Council and the European Union to speak out against the detention of the British servicemen and one woman. They also froze bilateral ties, from which Iran benefits far more than Britain.

The clear message to Tehran is that if the Iranians want to prolong this crisis, London can inflict political and economic damage on the Iranians internationally.

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