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| UK sailors captured at gunpoint | UK sailors captured at gunpoint |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Fifteen British Navy personnel have been captured at gunpoint by Iranian forces, the Ministry of Defence says. | Fifteen British Navy personnel have been captured at gunpoint by Iranian forces, the Ministry of Defence says. |
| The men were seized at 1030 local time when they boarded a boat in the Gulf, off the coast of Iraq, which they suspected was smuggling cars. | The men were seized at 1030 local time when they boarded a boat in the Gulf, off the coast of Iraq, which they suspected was smuggling cars. |
| The Royal Navy said it was doing everything it could to secure the release of the sailors and marines who are based on HMS Cornwall. | The Royal Navy said it was doing everything it could to secure the release of the sailors and marines who are based on HMS Cornwall. |
| They were said to be carrying out a routine patrol in Iraqi waters. | They were said to be carrying out a routine patrol in Iraqi waters. |
| The Ministry of Defence said: "The group boarding party had completed a successful inspection of a merchant ship when they and their two boats were surrounded and escorted by Iranian vessels into Iranian territorial waters. | The Ministry of Defence said: "The group boarding party had completed a successful inspection of a merchant ship when they and their two boats were surrounded and escorted by Iranian vessels into Iranian territorial waters. |
| "We are urgently pursuing this matter with the Iranian authorities at the highest level. | |
| "The British government is demanding the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment." | |
| HMS CORNWALL Multi-national force flagship in the North Arabian Gulf Type 22 frigateCrew: 250 (Max 301)Length: 148.1m / 485.9ftSpeed: 30 knots Source: Royal Navy | |
| It is understood the men being held are safe and well. | It is understood the men being held are safe and well. |
| Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has summoned the Iranian ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in an attempt to get the sailors and marines released as quickly as possible. | Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has summoned the Iranian ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in an attempt to get the sailors and marines released as quickly as possible. |
Do | In a statement, leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Menzies Campbell, also called for their immediate release. |
| "Whatever the rights and wrongs of military action, British forces in Iraq are now there with the authority of a UN security council resolution... and the Iranian government should be left in no doubt of the serious implications of their action," he said. | |
| In 2004, Iran detained eight British servicemen for three days after they allegedly strayed over the maritime border. | |
| The UK claimed the men were "forcibly escorted" into Iranian territorial waters. | |