I hope that now the Brittish public will learn something about the difference between Israel and its neighbours in the Middle East, having had a taste of Middle Eastern civilization.

Eran, Tel Aviv, Israel

i dont believe for one minute that the navy and marine hostages had strayed into iranian waters the ship that they were stopping was a complete setup why was the iranians out in force in the first place did they actualy think they were being invaded by two inflatable dingys no they were patroling iraqi waters most likely routine as for gps its never wrong these guys and galls no what they are doing .,

stevie, sanquhar, scotland

Congrats to Britain and its sailors. But such terrible clothes and so many wardrobe changes! The sailors really should get acting pay! Headscarves should be banned!!!
Anyway, Alls well that ends well.

Em Hawthorne, Ottawa, Canada

I would have said what they said if it got me out of there. Who cares. They now live to fight another day. Respect to the marines for keeping cool, and respect to the irainians for looking after them.

martin, Nottinghamshire, England

"We're so sorry for trespassing in waters that you claim are yours President Ahmadinejihad. We'll never do it again we promise, oh and thanks for your wonderful hospitality and spiffy new suits, we didn't really care for our military uniforms anyway. " The Brits of old are a distant memory
the new Brits glorify cowardice. I can't believe you guys are our allies. Do us a favor and stay home we'll handle this middle east deal on our own. Thanks for nothing.

T.J., DISCOVERY BAY, Ca.

This is fantastic, now we are the bad again, let them go on and then we will have the real freedom and democracy, we have to move from here prety soon, by the way did the goverment bay houses in Spain or other place? Good luck!

Kazimir Pac, Malaga, Spain

In terms of humiliation, the current crisis pales into insignificance compared with the USA carter crisis when the USA paid a huge randsom to facilitate the release of their hostages.

David, jersey,

I'm glad Her Majesty's sailors and marines will be released unharmed. However, I'm stunned and flabbergasted that these highly trained military personnel capitulated so quickly and completely. Is there anything they didn't say or do to appease their captors? I readily admit that I never served in the military, but I think I have a right to expect a little more from those that do. After all, these people volunteered to enter this profession. From the circumstances leading up to their capture, to the captivity stage, to joking and laughing with the Iranian President, this entire sorry episode has got to be an enormous blight on the reputation of Her Majesty's "fighting" men and women. Wow.

Erik Dykeman, Cape Cod, USA

EJ Murray is right. The Iranian hardliners get most of their support from fears that the US and Britain are going to treat Iran like a colony again like they did when they overthrew Iran's elected PM Mossadeq in a coup in 1953, supported the Shah's dictatorship from then till 1979 - and backed Saddam after he invaded Iran.

On domestic issues Iran's hard-liners are far less popular.

If we just stop threatening Iran with sanctions or war and pull out of Iraq the political focus in Iran will switch from the threat of British and American intervention to issues like unemployment , the brutal treatment of striking teachers by the Iranian police , freedom of speech and human rights.
Then the hard-liners' support will slip away and reformists like Khatami will gain more influence

Duncan McFarlane, Carluke, UK

What a great relief for the British personnel, their families, and Britain. I'm thrilled they're going home and will be safe.

I see John Chuckman is at it again with his usual anti-American rants. Funny how he keeps track of American comments, but not those from Britain, Canada, or others from around the World. Most Americans' were concerned for the welfare of the captives and stood behind Britain in this.

MCD, Elmhurst, USA

I am really happy for the good outcome of the event.I was afraid it would have been a long and complicated matter such as that of the American hostages.
What the raisons for the Ahmadinejad’s “generous” act? Maybe the substantially uniform reaction of most countries might have played the most important role.

Luigi Curatola, San Bendetto del Tronto, Italy

I'm just glad for that they were released and I am wishing them a good, safe trip back. I guess I am one of the few who do not blame Britain for this unlike other stupid US citisens have said on this page. I am really starting to hate living here in this ridiculous country and want to leave asap. But, all that aside, glad that the 15 were released!

Lilly, Hereford, AZ, USA

Nice tailor (!) well dressed and almost all smiled.

fab, locarno, Swtzerland

Dear American contributors, you would do far greater service to your country if you kept your comments to yourselves and for the Amewrican media. Remember the proverb: Silence is golden. Here in Europe and across the rest of the world your comments sound pathetic. You guys sound weak, overwhelmed with inferiority complex, bitter and truely pathetic. I know a great number of American people in the UK and i find them to be wonderful, compationate, intelligent people.
Don't ruin it for the vast majority. Keep your mouths shut and spend more time trying to learn to read and write.
Good luck.

Kourosh, London, UK

It only took these 15 sailors a milisecond to sell out their country. You Britons might as well allow Iran to annex you.

RL Piva, Ft Worth, USA/Texas

Look people....I am an Iranian who has lived a 1/3 of my life in Iran, UK and US....I and many others don't like the Iranian regime just like many of you don't like UK and US govs....but the fact is Iran has internal issues of power struggle and also is threatened constantly by the biggest Naval/army force im mid east...its environment is that they are going to be attaced at any time by the US...its forces are on high alert...of course its going to have a short fuse...with sailors wondering in and around their bordrs...Plus the kidnapping started by US in Iraq...not by Iran...yes Iran is playing the propaganda game but it also is sending a message to US that it has the ability to hurt it...US has been meddling in its affair for 50 yrs...and even people not supporting Iran regime get caught supporting them...the smart thing to do is turn on the economic screw ...where it hurts otherwise US will also lose big believe me....Iran has too much influence and can hurt US in many ways.......

A. Javahery, Irvine, California

Reading between the lines this comes across as a PR win for Iran and more egg on the face for Blair. This evening Blair was again trying to put his spin on it today saying the EU and the UN backed him when the reality was somewhat different. The UN refused to pass a motion that Blair wanted and the EU refused to apply economic sanctions. As far as unity goes he was on his own and to avoid escalating it higher he must have told his mate Bush to butt out. The core question over whether our guys strayed into Iranian water will never be proved on way or the other and in any respect its immaterial. Force wasn't an option so it just a matter of waiting it out until the Iranian leadership felt they'd made their point. Of course the TV appearances were all orchestrated but it showed they weren't being mistreated and contrary to Blairs objections, I think their families felt better for seeing them alive and well. The Iranians wanted to rub Blair's nose in it and they succeeded in spades.

Mike, Denia, Spain

Orient is complicated - Beware, Saville Row !

We westerner may be can't understand what decided Iranians to make that incredible move. But may be there is something to learn in that, even if we already know that Orient is complicated for us.
Above all, Iranians dressed captured british sailors in quite nice costumes before sending them back (look at the snapshot). I'd like to be dressed just the same, and I am pretty confident it is cheaper than Saville Row. Another shock t o the system ? Or just another talented competitor ?

lieury, paris, france

I must admit, I was concerned over the attitudes and announcements of the captured personnel. That said, who the devil has the right to condemn someone in captivity? You are not there, you do not know the circumstances.

To judge the reactions of hostages from one's comfy armchair, is nothing less than empty-headed. How do you know they were NOT under extreme duress? Unless you're claiming to be physic, you don't know anything of the sort. Instead of crabbing about the behavour of the captives--and the governments involved--, use your time better to give thanks for their safe return.

Nancy, Glens Falls, NY USA

It seems debatable what really happened and in whose territorial waters but doubtless our forces will think twice next time.

Gloria B. Devine, Taunton, UK

When will this government realise that if we can not support our young men and women properly we should bring them home ?

Bernard Parke, GUILDFORD,

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came out of this looking top dog., Tony Blair looked as normal. At least George W Bush had the guts to something. Lets hope Iran never get the bomb if they can do this much powere against Suoer Power??? Britain without needing one.
Steve Gilmour Cambridge.

Steve Gilmour, Cambridge, UK.

There are weird things going on. British sailors are pardoned even before being put on trial. No court of law has so far proved their guilt, but they have already received 'great mercy' of 'peace-loving' President Ahmadinejad. How can you pardon the innocent? Ah yeah, sorry, I forgot the confessions! It is not difficult however to understand the degree of 'genuiness' of those confessions that the sailors gave under the pressure of smiling people around them.
So, to sum up, we have sailors being kidnapped by Iranian authorities, then psychologically brainwashed to give 'confessions', humiliated in front of the screens of all the world and then pardoned no one knows from what. Moreover, those who kidnapped them are awarded medals. Beautiful! President Ahmadinejad might not know that popularity gained from lies will not last long and will not benefit anyone including himself and his nation.

Alex Spak, Aberystwyth, Wales

Hold on to those celebrations.

Of course it's not over; there's still a final twist in the tale.

Students of the Iranian government's behaviour will know that they "giveth with one hand and taketh with the other".

Here's how it's going to pan out:

a) Tomorrow, there will be a "glitch"; don't know what kind of glitch, but enough of one to prevent the return of the 15 hostages tomorrow.

b) A day later, that glitch will have been "fixed" and the hostages will be returned.

Talk about an open book...

Kenny G, Brighton & Hove, UK

I think that the unlawfully seized service personnel were never in danger and that Iran was just playing chess with the UK, testing our reactions. I'd say it was a propaganda victory for the Iranians who appear to be graciously returning the 'hostages' (?) in the eyes of the world.

barrie, Brussels, Belgium

My 2c is that Iran was caught unawares - they expected a tit-for-tat propaganda frenzy, but instead got a taste of some highly effective, and highly damaging, British diplomacy.

Mark, Woking, UK

Anyone who thinks diplomacy was the reason Iran has released these soldiers is sadly disillusioned. Iran has proven a point to western governements, that it can kidnap at will and cause trouble with impunity (yet again), if it so wants. It has also created a brilliant publicity coup for its own people, the Arab world, and those disillusioned people in the west who think the UK and US governments are responsible for everything bad in the world and that Iran is a lovely and kindly nation. This whole thing has been akin to stealing something and then giving it back and asking for moral praise for doing so. I wish i could say i was amazed that some people have fallen for it hook line and sinker. Nations are learning that they don't have to attack Britain to destroy it, we are destroying ourselves within because of the attitudes of those who live here, reap all the benefits of this country, yet don't understand what it requires to maintain the lives they so love.

J W Randall, Edinburgh,

Am I the only person in this country to be appalled at the pusillanimity of the British hostages? Whatever happened to courage under pressure and their supposed elite military training? The sight of them smiling, joking, shaking hands with the President and willingly making propaganda broadcasts against their country, under what I suspect was minimal duress, is a huge boost for the Iranians. They are an embarrassment to the memory of the courage showed by veterans of former wars.

Terence, Oxford,

They were kidnapped in Iraqi waters, they didn't fight back and they 'confessed' on Iranian TV under relatively little duress, and 'joked' with the Iranian President. I wouldn't be punching the air with joy if I was them. They have made a mockery of the UK's military credibility.

Nick, Chicago, USA

First, I am happy that the military personnel are going home, in one piece and, hopefully, no worse for the wear. I rejoice with my British cousins on this event.

Secondly, I just don't believe Ahmadinejad would roll-over so easily without some sort of serious motivation. I am wondering if the threat of a missile strike against Natanz facility by the U.S and the British, ostensibly to occur this Good Friday, was for real?

It makes one wonder.

James P, Sacramento, California

Congratulations to President Ahmadinejad! He is on the way to win Oscars for the best performance. Plus, give him a good scholarship to come to study at Drama School at Aberystwyth University, Wales. He will gain first degree in Theatre studies! His abilities to act as an actor are witnessed by all the world.

Alex Spak, Aberystwyth, Wales

Game over. Ahma wins hands down. He shows up the
Royal Navy as a floating Keystone Cops Brigade, slaps the British politicians around, ends up as a hero to the Arab speaking world in place of Sadam, scolds the Brits before the release in a "don't let me catch you doing this again" speech,
and best of all, appears as magnanimous as Allah by taking pity on his
embarrassed enemies and giving them a gift on Mohammed's birthday.
Brilliantly played propaganda coup. The man's image in the third world has gone up dramatically.

Needless to say, some heads better roll in Britain.

Eugene, Heidelberg, germany

The release of the sailors by Iran contrasts the good heartedness of the Iranian people and the people of the mid east in general with monstrous bomb throwing rightwing brits who were up in arms even as they violated the Iranian territory, recorded on their own GPSs, not to speak of Iraq.

geo, sao palo, Brazil

We all better thank God for that not diplomacy, military might or Iranian goodwill! Neither we the Brits nor the Iranians are in the right, all the people that wanted war should have joined the army as soon as this started.

ola, Kent, England

Wonderful news – just shows what happens when you protest! Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says 15 British naval personnel kidnapped in the Gulf are free to leave.
He repeated allegations that the British sailors and marines "invaded" Iranian waters, but said they were being released as a "gift" to Britain.
He said they would be taken to Tehran airport and flown home within hours.
Downing Street welcomed news of the release, while Iranian state media said the British crew members "shouted for joy" on hearing the news.

Cllr Keith Standring, Bexhill-on-Sea, UK

Oh thank you benevolent dictator for the gift! So kind and generous you are. What a way to celebrate the prophets birthday.

IA, NJ USA,

Well look at that, they have been released... not one shot fired, no WW3 or Islamic invasion. Just look at what can be achieved through diplomatic measures? Also I wonder how they would have gone without being a member of the EU and Iran's "Largest trading partner".

Stephen, Maidstone,

Ian Turner - I see that you are in Iraq fighting with the best. What really matters is that there are those who do and those who don't. Diplomacy has worked and no crowing by potato observationists on their couches will alter that.

Bob Chapman, Lowestoft, England

Hell Ian - Lets all just slog it out toe to toe and see who comes out on top - it could be like a gladiatoral world conquest with a 'winner takes all prize'.

In the real world, Britains strength is as it was before whether its percieved any different is irrelevant. Our approach was not a Utopian one, just one that sought to ensure our people were safely released and that a war didn't ensue. If that is percieved to be weak then I am all for it.

Ryan O'Neill, Southampton, Hampshire

The Iranian President is right regarding the female sailor: "How can (we) justify seeing a mother away from her home, her children? Why don’t (we) respect family values in the West?" It is stupid and insensitive to send women troops and mothers at that to the front line, particularly in the Islamic world.

John Appleyard, Ripon, UK

Now the smoke has cleared, what is the legacy?

1) Ahmadinejed gets to blubber and froth and hand out medals
2) The Iranian Mullahs tweak the British tail and get away with it.
3) The British navy looks like an ass
4) We've just made ourselves a prime target for other would-be captors of our servicemen and women

I for one do not advocate punishing any of the crew. I do advocate finding what blithering idiot failed to properly support the crew doing the search and ensuring their is no repitition of this most predictable of hostage taking.

Dan, Hampton , UK

I don't think the UK looks even a little weaker today. Bottom line they get their sailors back and give no apologies to the kidnappers. Ahmadinejad got nothing. In the diplomatic world this is as close as it gets to precipitous retreat.

Blair 1, Ahmadinejad 0.

Don S, London, UK

They're not releasing anyone today. They're just playing mind games with us. During the 444 days they held the American embassy hostages, they played with us just like this.

Ted, Berkeley, USA

You call this diplomacy? I call it caving in.

Iran's goal was to slap Britain in the face. Mission accomplished.

Score one for radical Islam. Thanks UK.

Tim, las vegas,

This demonstrates that the process of negotiating the release of hostages should always be left to those who do it professionally. We should not ask too many questions about the process; we know so little about what has gone on behind the scenes.

If those who commented on this story earlier in the week had had their way, the UK would have gone to war with Iran over this.

I applaud the negotiators for securing the release of the hostages without having to apologise for the "incursion" into Iranian waters.

Duncan, Aberdeen,

Is there no possibility my fellow Americans could just for once shut up and be glad this situation appears to be working out well for the 15 military men and woman and their families? Enough jingoism already. If you think fighting is so wonderful, put your body where your mouth is, join the Army.

Linda , Albany NY US,

Are you humiliated enough yet Britain

Michael Fortunato, Yonkers, NY USA

I don't agree with Ian Turner's assessment that Britain is weaker as a result of this crisis. Weakness would have been to go in with all guns blazing (I wonder which particular Texan would have gone for that approach). Over the centuries, Britain has been involved in wars all over the planet and has now decided, in it's maturity, to sit down and talk for a change. Iran's regime will eventually collapse when the Iranian people have had enough. The US "Empire" will also, someday, fall apart at the seams.

E J Murray, Kerry, Ireland

According to Ian Turner we should show only strength whenever there is a conflict and that being the bigger person is not an option. If we take this view then it is perfectly acceptable for the Lebanese to bomb Tel Aviv because there is a conflict, there is nothing wrong with Al Queda because again there is conflict and now that Pong Yang has a nuke they should show thier strength by nuking China.

The problem with the world today is the amount of people in the USA who believe that thier foreign policy should simply be to bomb any opposition. Let the Americans stay in America and leave the rest of the world alone.

The Iranian President has gained greatly for simply being the better person.

joseph kellie, edinburgh, scotland

Good for the captured troops!
Let's hope Mr Blair (and his babe la Beckett) feels thoroughly humiliated by Amahdinejad's sleight of hand.

Oliver Frey, Ludlow, Shropshire

For all the ragers and zionists who have flooded the comment and response pages in the past week, are you willing to now see that diplomacy has worked, and the 15 sailors will soon be home safe, and more to the point, that no new and more catastrophic war has not occured? Those who were merely angry and upset, the answer probably will be yes. As for the zionists, they are probably very upset, because the safe return of these military personnel was not what they wanted. They want war, more war.

John, Seattle, USA

hostages !! Are you sure about it?!!

Sam, Gevova,

Just back from holiday in Thailand. Americans and Britons will be surprised to learn that so many people of many nationalities including thais, Chinese, Koreans, Brazilians, Indonesians, French, Russians, Japanese, Italians, Indians, Turkish, Polish etc seemed to support the Iranians and there view that the UK were in the wrong and should apologise for their arrogant and holier than thou behaviour.

Proof that Blair and his lapdog neo-con supporting government have turned this once loved country into one of the most hated in the world.

Elisabeth Andersen, Edinburgh/Oslo, UK/Norway

Great news. We can now stand down the army of laptop neocons who have been bombarding the BBC comments pages (using a multiplicity of identities one suspects) for the last several days. Your blog editors can take a well deserved break.

Charles, London, England

Any country which values its sovereignity and territorial integrity would have done exactly as the Iranians. Particularly when they are completely surrounded by hostile forces who are actively seeking to destabilise the country.

It never ceases to amaze me when British and Amercian soldiers are so overtly brainwashed that they turn up on the shores of a country thousands of miles away and have the audacity to claim that the Iranians are the aggressors!

Samuel , London, UK

The Iranians have definetly won this round! Good on them!

Not only have they made the UK look stupid, but also ungracious and arrogant!

As for the thousands of Yanks and Brits who were only days ago calling for the West to nuke Iran, this only justifies Tehran's desire to obtain nuclear weapons for the defence and safety of its people.

Johnny Boy, Glasgow, Scotland

This is simply wonderful news.

Imagine had Britain followed the advice of many of The Times' American readers?

"Bomb the bastards!'

'Incinerate a couple of their cities!'

'Fifty-four forty of fight!'

'Remember the Alamo!'

Complete idiots, much like their Great Leader.

John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada

I'm extreamly glad that the Hostages are to be released.

As a point of reference. It would seem that the Iranian President is releasing them as a "gift" in honour of the "Prohpet's Birthday" (foxnews.com's article on the same subject) and not because of Easter.

For reason's longer then a 1,000 character post, Islamic Teaching does not recognize Easter and the Iranian President would not in any way commorate it.

Scott, Virginia, United States

The release of the Uk marines and sailors shows that we Iranians are not barbarians but civilised people who respect humanity.

Esmail, Iranshahr, Iran

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is not the evil person that he is portryed in the much of the media- every time his speeches are televised I have to agree to a large extent with what he says about the US and the situation in Iraq. He has good reasons to dislike US foreign policy and what is going on in Iraq. Hopefully we will see him in a different light now that he is freeing the 15 sailors. We have no reason to believe the military more than the iranians on the question of the whereabouts of the ship when the people were arrested.

barry DuPont, Brighton, UK

Great news that the Bristish sailors are being released. Just a comment quickly, why is the Iranian President giving the Iranian coast guard a bravery medal for arresting 15 British personnel in a rubber duck? Surely the Iranian coast guard would be more intimidating than a rubber duck with 15 sailors onboard....... Just a thought!

John Anthony, London,

Reading Iranian news, the 15 British soldiers screamed out of joy after hearing the news. It just goes to show that most problems in the world can be resolved peacefully and for those posters who kept wishing for an all out war, sorry. As an Iranian it's a happy day for me.

Tour, Houston, Texas

This whole episode was just a publicity stunt by Mr. Ahmadinejad, a man who has denied the existence of the holocaust and has said that Israel should be exterminated. Now he is saying that "Britain was not brave enough to apologize" but that he would forgive the sailors anyway. Why didn’t he kidnap US soldiers? Why has the press in Britain been so soft on Iran, especially with this episode? The war in Iraq is a noble effort but it is not going well for the USA or Britain, hopefully the British Press will learn something from this whole thing.

Luis De la Garza, San José, Costa Rica

For what it is worth, I am glad diplomacy worked before conflict. However I still feel this was a way for Iran to arrest people illegally just to flex its muscle and command respect. I still don't trust them as far as I can throw them. I am happy for Great Britain to get back its men/women in uniform. I am also happy to see this come to an end and am glad that the majority of Americans who posted here showed strong support for the UK, for that is always the right thing to do.

Chris, Tampa, USA

Weird, I had a premonition that might happen ...

Talk about propaganda. *rolls eyes*

Starling, Lancaster,

So everyone breathes easier, the crisis is over.No shots fired,no need for violence.Everyone's happy,right?In as much as there are aspects to International relations that resemble personal relationships (i.e ego's involved) policy can't be made on that basis.The many calls for Britain to apoligize for the"intrusion" are naive.Those suggestions are made by kind hearted compassionate folks who would do such things in their own lives,being willing to eat a little crow to make things better.That's not how it works between countries.Relations between Britain an Iran have not improved because of this interchange.In the eyes of the world and particularly the Iranian regime, Britain is now weaker.Whether you like it or not it's a fact, because in the world that we all live in it's survival of the fittest.The strong survive and the weak die off.This is the lesson of the animal world and of history.Utopians long for peace and good will, and that's not a bad goal, it's simply not realistic.

Ian Turner, Austin, Texas USA

Ok, this time problem going to solution. We want more trading, more education, more jobs.
We don't want war.
Thanks for everbody.

GOKHAN, ANKARA, TURKEY