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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.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.
Vice Admiral Charles Style said the Iranians had given two different positions for the personnel - the first inside Iraqi waters in the Gulf.Vice Admiral Charles Style said the Iranians had given two different positions for the personnel - the first inside Iraqi waters in the Gulf.
He said they had been "ambushed" after the search of a vessel and that their detention was "unjustified and wrong".He said they had been "ambushed" after the search of a vessel and that their detention was "unjustified and wrong".
Iran insists the group were in its waters when they were taken on Friday.Iran insists the group were in its waters when they were taken on Friday.
The eight sailors and seven marines, based on HMS Cornwall, were taken at gunpoint as they returned after searching a boat.
At a briefing in London, the Ministry of Defence said it "unambiguously contested" claims that the UK vessel had strayed into Iranian waters.At a briefing in London, the Ministry of Defence said it "unambiguously contested" claims that the UK vessel 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 waters
Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman said the evidence presented by the MoD was "difficult to dispute".Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman said the evidence presented by the MoD was "difficult to dispute".
Earlier, Turkey's prime minister was quoted as saying his diplomats may be allowed to meet the group, taken in the Gulf. The spokesman added that "the important thing is that Iran recognises that these personnel were in Iraqi waters not Iranian waters".
According to CNN Turk television, Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave the indication after meeting the Iranian foreign minister and before an Arab leaders' summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 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.
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
The Foreign Office said reports that Turkish diplomats may be granted access to the detainees should be treated with "caution". Mr Blair's spokesman welcomed that move but said the government still wanted British consular officials to have access to them.
On Tuesday, UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett discussed the plight of the Britons with Turkey, its Nato ally.On Tuesday, UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett discussed the plight of the Britons with Turkey, its Nato ally.
The eight sailors and seven marines, based on HMS Cornwall, were taken at gunpoint in the northern Gulf as they returned after searching a boat. Mrs Beckett cut short her visit to Turkey to return to the UK where she will give a statement on the crisis to MPs.
Iran says they were trespassing in Iranian waters, but the UK has insisted the group were in Iraqi waters under a UN mandate.
HMS Cornwall's area of operationsHMS Cornwall's area of operations
Mrs Beckett cut short her visit to Turkey to return to the UK where she will and 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.She decided to return after a phone call to the Iranian foreign minister on Tuesday made no progress.
Downing Street has said that up to now the UK has been attempting to talk "discreetly" to the Iranians to secure the release of the Royal Navy personnel. Downing Street has said that up to now the UK has been attempting to talk "discreetly" to the Iranians to secure the release of the Royal Navy personnel, but may have to become more "explicit".
The prime minister's spokesman said that if the talks were unsuccessful, the government may have to become "more explicit" with Iran.
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
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 capturedBBC 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.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.
The Foreign Office says it has been unable to confirm reports by Iran's official news agency Irna that Mohammad Ali Hosseini, spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, had said British diplomats would be given access to the group after the "primary investigation" by Iranian officials.
He was quoted by Irna as saying: "The media campaigns and provocative ... remarks regarding the violation of Iranian territorial waters by the British sailors are doing nothing to help settle the affair."
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