Iran Crosses A Line
Iranian naval vessels have illegally seized 15 British sailors operating inside Iraqi territorial waters on routine smuggling control operations. They have openly engaged in an act of war against two sovereign nations. They really are pushing their luck this time.
LONDON – Iranian naval vessels seized 15 British sailors who had boarded a ship suspected of smuggling cars in the Persian Gulf off the Iraqi coast on Friday, officials said.
The British government demanded "the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment."
The British Navy personnel were "engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters," and had completed a ship inspection when they were accosted by Iranian vessels, Britain's Defense Ministry said.
"We are urgently pursuing this matter with the Iranian authorities at the highest level and … the Iranian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office," the ministry said.
The seizure comes at a time of rising tensions between Iran and the West, which accuses the Islamic republic of violating a U.N. calls for it to halt uranium enrichment and open its nuclear program for inspection. It also comes amid U.S. accusations that Iran is funding and arming Shiite militias in Iraq, worsening sectarian tensions there.
A witness reports that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy came and captured the British sailors and took them across the boundary into Iranian waters.
Other Links to this Post
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JammieWearingFool — March 23, 2007 @ 7:36 am
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Iranians sieze 15 Royal Marines : The Crimson Blog — March 23, 2007 @ 8:27 am
By Rightmom, March 23, 2007 @ 7:53 am
I say bring it on!! Iran obviously does not remember the lessons of Iraq, do not push us because we will take action, come on George Bush is still President.
By Bourbon Straight, March 23, 2007 @ 5:24 pm
Captured without firing a shot. Just like their USSA counterparts. Small wonder, considering the USSA commander in chief has no clue how to or desire to KILL THE ENEMY, POST 911.
By daveinboca, March 23, 2007 @ 11:27 pm
Ahmedodojihad controls the Rev Guards [as opposed to the IRanian Navy, which he might not have full control over]. This dwarf maniac should stop his games like the UN visit which was “cancelled” because of spurious visa claims. The Russians aren’t buying his BS any longer and the UNSC is going to spank this naughty little monster tomorrow.
Fifty years ago, the Brits would have given these violent reactionaries the thrashing they deserve, but most of the world consists of nasty losers who hate successful Western countries, so the crazy midget might get away with it in the eyes of world opinion [But who cares about what Venzs and Cubans and leftardo Third World train-wreck countries think?].