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UK reveals Iran dispute evidence UK reveals Iran dispute evidence
(20 minutes later)
The Royal Navy says satellite data proves 15 personnel being held in Iran were 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi waters when they were seized. Satellite data proves 15 navy personnel being held in Iran were 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi waters when they were seized, UK defence officials say.
Vice Admiral Charles Style said the sailors were "ambushed" after the search of a vessel and that their detention was "unjustified and wrong". Vice Admiral Charles Style said the sailors had been "ambushed" after the search of a vessel and that their detention was "unjustified and wrong".
Prime Minister Tony Blair told the Commons it was now time to "ratchet up" diplomatic pressure on Iran.Prime Minister Tony Blair told the Commons it was now time to "ratchet up" diplomatic pressure on Iran.
Iran has insisted the group were in its waters when they were taken on Friday.Iran has insisted the group were in its waters when they were taken on Friday.
The eight sailors and seven marines, based on HMS Cornwall, which has its home port in Plymouth, were taken at gunpoint by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as they returned after searching a boat. The eight sailors and seven marines, based on HMS Cornwall, which has its home port in Plymouth, were taken at gunpoint by Iranian Revolutionary Guards after they had searched a merchant vessel.
At a briefing in London on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said it "unambiguously contested" claims that the navy personnel had strayed into Iranian waters. At a briefing in London on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said it "unambiguously contested" Iran's claims that the Royal Navy personnel had strayed into Iranian waters.
UK VERSION OF EVENTS UK government says merchant vessel boarded by crew from HMS Cornwall was 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi territorial watersHMS Cornwall was south-east of merchant ship, inside Iraqi watersIranian government initially told UK that merchant vessel was at a point still within Iraqi watersAfter UK pointed this out, Iran provided alternative position, within Iranian watersUK VERSION OF EVENTS UK government says merchant vessel boarded by crew from HMS Cornwall was 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi territorial watersHMS Cornwall was south-east of merchant ship, inside Iraqi watersIranian government initially told UK that merchant vessel was at a point still within Iraqi watersAfter UK pointed this out, Iran provided alternative position, within Iranian waters
Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman said the evidence presented by the MoD was "difficult to dispute". Speaking shortly after the briefing, Mr Blair told MPs it was time to increase pressure on Iran "in order to make sure the Iranian government understands their total isolation on this issue".
The spokesman added that "the important thing is that Iran recognises that these personnel were in Iraqi waters not Iranian waters". The seizure of the personnel was "unacceptable, wrong and illegal" and the UK was now in talks with all its key allies and partners, he said.
Earlier, Turkey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying his diplomats may be allowed to meet the group, taken in the Gulf. Mr Blair added: "Our thoughts are with the servicemen and the servicewoman and their families, and their safe return is our paramount concern."
The market has been on pins and needles with the Iran situation Phil FlynnAlaron Trading Iran tension affects oil pricesThe market has been on pins and needles with the Iran situation Phil FlynnAlaron Trading Iran tension affects oil prices
Mr Blair's spokesman welcomed that move but said the government still wanted British consular officials to have access to them. The prime minister said he wanted to make the UK's position clear.
On Tuesday, UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett discussed the plight of the Britons with Turkey, its Nato ally. He said: "These personnel were patrolling in Iraqi waters under a United Nations mandate. Their boarding and checking of the Indian merchant vessel was routine - there was no justification therefore for their detention."
Mrs Beckett cut short her visit to Turkey to return to the UK where she will give a statement on the crisis to MPs. Mr Blair said the personnel had been "doing their job" and the government would be talking to international partners in Nato and the UN to reach a "sensible" solution.
HMS Cornwall's area of operationsHMS Cornwall's area of operations
She decided to return after a phone call to the Iranian foreign minister on Tuesday made no progress. The UK government says the Iranian government initially said the merchant vessel searched by the navy personnel had been at a point within Iraqi waters before later providing a second, alternative position, within Iranian waters.
Earlier, Turkey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying his diplomats may be allowed to meet the group, taken in the Gulf.
On Tuesday, UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett discussed the plight of the Britons with Turkey, its Nato ally.
HAVE YOUR SAY The country of Iran needs to have a good long hard look at how this situation will look to the rest of the world Gary, UK Send us your comments Iranian view on stand-offHAVE YOUR SAY The country of Iran needs to have a good long hard look at how this situation will look to the rest of the world Gary, UK Send us your comments Iranian view on stand-off
Mrs Beckett cut short her visit to Turkey to return to the UK where she will give a statement on the crisis to MPs.
She decided to return after a phone call to the Iranian foreign minister on Tuesday made no progress.
Salah Al Shaikhly, Iraq's ambassador to the UK, said his country would try to help the bid to secure the personnel's release and "the voice of reason should prevail".Salah Al Shaikhly, Iraq's ambassador to the UK, said his country would try to help the bid to secure the personnel's release and "the voice of reason should prevail".
BBC News has broadcast footage of an interview it carried out last week with Faye Turney, the only woman among the 15 who were captured
It showed the married 26-year-old, who had a photo of her three-year-old daughter very close at hand throughout the filming, on the Cornwall just hours before the incident.
The BBC has been told the group are being held at an Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps base in Tehran, where they are said to be being treated humanely.The BBC has been told the group are being held at an Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps base in Tehran, where they are said to be being treated humanely.
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