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UN Iran statement voices concern UN voices "concern" on UK sailors
(20 minutes later)
The UN Security Council has adopted a watered-down statement on the capture of 15 Royal Navy personnel by Iran. The UN Security Council has agreed a statement voicing "grave concern" at Iran's capture of 15 British sailors.
The statement expresses "grave concern" over the detention of the sailors and marines after they were seized in the northern Gulf on Friday.
It also calls on Tehran to allow the UK consular access to the personnel.It also calls on Tehran to allow the UK consular access to the personnel.
The statement is a watered-down version as the UK wanted it to "deplore" Iran's detention of the Britons and call for their immediate release.
Meanwhile, Iran has released a second letter, apparently written by captured Leading Seaman Faye Turney, which urges the UK to withdraw from Iraq.Meanwhile, Iran has released a second letter, apparently written by captured Leading Seaman Faye Turney, which urges the UK to withdraw from Iraq.
'Not helpful' Stronger statement
The UK failed to win Security Council support for a stronger statement which would "deplore" Iran's actions and call for the immediate release of the Britons. The British ambassador to the UN, Sir Emyr Jones Parry, said the UN statement was a "good outcome" for the UK.
Sir Emyr added that the unanimous statement sent the "right message" to Iran to allow access to the sailors and marines, and secure their prompt release.
The UK failed to win support for a stronger statement deploring Iran's actions following opposition led by Russia.
Iran's UN mission said in a statement: "This case can and should be settled through bilateral channels.Iran's UN mission said in a statement: "This case can and should be settled through bilateral channels.
"The British government's attempt to engage third parties, including the Security Council, with this case is not helpful.""The British government's attempt to engage third parties, including the Security Council, with this case is not helpful."
The Britons, based on HMS Cornwall, were seized after boarding a vessel in the Gulf and returning to their boats. 'Continuing detention'
The statement was agreed following more than four hours of negotiations.
In full, it said: "Members of the Security Council expressed grave concern at the capture by the Revolutionary Guard and the continuing detention by the government of Iran of 15 United Kingdom naval personnel and appealed to the government of Iran to allow consular access in terms of the relevant international laws."
The Britons, based on HMS Cornwall, were seized on Friday after boarding a vessel in the northern Gulf and returning to their boats.
Iran says they strayed into Iranian territorial waters, a claim which the UK denies.Iran says they strayed into Iranian territorial waters, a claim which the UK denies.