Well done grr in Birmingham.

I am sick of the constant messages from people in the US who on the one hand say that Iran cannot be trusted with nuclear weapons because they are aggresive and then on the other say that we should invade!

Lets hope that this doesnt turn into the gift wrapped excuse that the US is waiting for to start military action against Iran. And forces us once again to be their partners in crime.

Anthony, London,

I am sick and tired of reading comments on this site from Americans that are suggesting we take their gun-ho approach instead of negotiating! We are not going to pile into Iran whooping and yelling and flailing weapons around! I am also very bored of the American comments that don't actually have anything constructive to say, but are based around how bitter they are that they're support isn't being mentioned, nobody likes them, blah blah blah! If you hadn't noticed, this is a forum to discuss the release of the British sailors, not a place to talk about how hard done by you feel you are!

Grr!, Birmingham,

It should be noted that even though it seems that the Iranians have violated "international law", they have had good tutors, the ones that invaded a country unilaterally, broke into their consular office in Erbil and took off with all the staff and equipment and also managed to kidnap their second officer within their embassy from the middle of the street! The sailors look healthy, well fed and jovial ... I wonder if we could say the same about their consular clerks now having been taken for several months? It seems that the West sets the rules, but then when it gets down to it, we play by no rules.

Fred Alavi, Seattle, WA, USA

Narcissim, boardering on Narcissistic Personality Disorder, are the key ingredients driving the present situation in both Iran and the UK at the very top. Blair and Brown have it and so has Ahmadinejad. So where does that leave us.....well....in the bloody mess actually! For you see, an individual with NPD can never be wrong and is therefore always right!

So the political conclusion to this tawdry affair must involve everyone being right and none being wrong. Tricky one that.

David Downes, Chester, UK

Unless Blair knows something the rest of the world doesn't know, I fail to see how the next 48 hours are critical to their release. This statement might have made sense immediately after they were captured but why now. If Blair had the backbone to apologize to Iran that would do far more to help get them released than all the diplomatic to and froing. Even Labours Margaret Hodge was forced to apologize to a mentally ill patient when threatened with a court case for libel and her problem was solved, but unless one of his kids was out there, Blair won't have the courage to even go there himself.

Mike, Denia, Spain

And when does Mr. Blair understand that he has no diplomatic skills at all ??

H. Mathys, Hameenlinna, Finland

I would like to know if there have been any demonstrations in Britain against the Iranian government - such as it is. When a group of hyenas, supported by a government of jackals, lies in wait for the main chance, kidnaps one's countrymen and holds them hostage, free people in a free nation are supposed to make a fuss about it. Whatever goes on behind the doors of Whitehall and Nr 10, I would have expected and hoped to have seen the British public in full cry over this. Or are your demonstrations reserved for the United States when she defends herself against the same kind of aggression? I would only hope that the apparent pacifism doesn't signify an attempt to assuage Iranian anger. That,as has been amply demonstrated, serves no purpose, save to assure them that, whatever they do, there will be no consequences. The path of conciliation can only end in capitulation, a point not lost on former P.M. Thatcher. Good luck to you. I fear you are going to need a lot of it.

Patricia Yeiser, Syracuse, New York , U.S.A.

I hope detainees return their home soon

Fan zhongping, shijiazhuang , P.R.China

What on earth are our military forces coming to ? Standing in front of TV cameras and confessing like naughty boys caught stealing apples. Whatever happened to Name,Rank & Number. Upon release those confessing on TV should be dishonourably discharged, particularly the officers who should have been setting an example by not joining this orchestrated farce.

rufus cole, beverley, W.Oz

Does anyone asks the detainees who seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves if they wish to return? Who wants to give up Iranian cousine for british bland grub, even less, a military one?

juan Montigue, Sao Palo, Brazil

The Iranians must realize there are rules to play by for all parties who wish to broker power at this level. They have constantly flouted the rules that most civilized people of the world recognize and live by. (U.S. hostages, nuclear issues, territorial waters, murder of journalists)A nation of herdsmen and desert nomads finds itself as a world player by virtue of it's location on an ocean of oil. The only way to satisfy the imbalances in their political structures are to freeze them out of world affairs completely. Stop importing their oil and cut off the funding they use to enlarge the nightmare that is building there.

Good luck to the British sailors and marines and to their government in freeing them. I think you'll need it!

Frederick James Keep, Lac du Bonnet, MB, Canada

I'm sorry, but its just delusional to believe Iran wants an "early resolution" to this situation as Downing Street was quoted. What is considered a "softening" stance by Iran is done deliberately as a mindgame. Watch the hope crushed by a change of attitude in Iran within the next few days. Then they will continue vascillating, attempting to frustrate and emotionally drain the U.K.

There are two ways to get your people back: Play out the game, and continue to be humiliated as long as the Iranians enjoy playing with you or threaten disproportionate military action against them. Unfortunately the U.K.doesn't have the weaponry or the nerve to do the latter. Your E.U friends have abandoned you in your time of need and it seems the only country that would help you is despised by most in your country.

Well, good luck. I hope it turns out for you.

Jim, Los Angeles, CA

I just want to send my best wishes and prayers for the British sailors and marines illegally captured by the totalitarian regime of Iran and, to their families and the whole UK.

I hope that with the right pressure by the whole international community, this horrible thing will be over soon!

Best wishes and regards

Andres , Guayaquil , Ecuador