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'Ecstasy' over sailors' release 'Ecstasy' over sailors' release
(about 1 hour later)
Family and friends of three Welsh sailors due to be freed by Iran have described their "ecstasy" at the news. Family and friends of Welsh sailors and marines due to be freed by Iran have described their relief.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said all 14 men and one woman - held for 13 days - were being pardoned and released as a "gift" to Britain. Three of the 15 held are from Wales - Lieutenant Felix Carman, from Gower, Andrew Henderson, from Wrexham, and Corporal Dean Harris, from Carmarthen.
The uncle of one Welsh sailor, Andrew Henderson, from Wrexham, said the news came "out of the blue," but added: "We're ecstatic".
The group is expected to be flown home to Britain on Thursday.The group is expected to be flown home to Britain on Thursday.
They had been held in Tehran accused of straying into Iranian waters, a claim denied by the UK government. Andrew Henderson's uncle said the family was "ecstatic", while Lt Carman's parents described their "disbelief" at the news.
The group had been held in Tehran since 23 March after being accused of straying into Iranian waters, a claim denied by the UK government.
I just fell to the floor and I think Paul burst into tears - it was so totally unexpected Alison Carmen
Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, announced on Wednesday all 15 were being released as a "gift" to Britain.
They are expected to be handed to the British embassy in Tehran on Thursday morning and then flown home.
Lt Carman's parents, Alison and Paul, from Port Eynon, in south Gower, described their shock at hearing the news their son would be released.
Mrs Carman said: "I just fell to the floor and I think Paul burst into tears - it was so totally unexpected.
"We can't express our feelings - disbelief.
"We are so grateful to the Iranian people for giving the gift to us, bringing our Felix back home to us."
Mr Carman added: "[It's been] absolute hell - an emotional roller coaster without the fun.
"At times we thought things were looking a bit better, then they got worse again."
The family of Corp Harris, 24, a Royal Marine from the village of Trevaughan, near Carmarthen, released a statement which said celebrations would be put on hold until it was certain the service personnel were on their way home.
Dean Harris, from Carmarthen, is another of the freed Welsh sailors
The family said: "This is an overwhelming relief to us that they have agreed to free Dean and the rest of them.
"But until we can see he is out of there, either on a plane or somewhere safe, we cannot raise our hopes."
A close friend of Corp Harris, Gareth Owen, said he was delighted at the news.
"I'm just putting the beer on ice for when he comes back," he added.
The family of Andrew Henderson, 24, from Coedpoeth, near Wrexham, said his parents were "absolutely over the moon".
On hearing the news, Andrew Henderson's uncle, Jim Bye, said: "We haven't come to terms with it.On hearing the news, Andrew Henderson's uncle, Jim Bye, said: "We haven't come to terms with it.
"We're ecstatic - it's been awful.""We're ecstatic - it's been awful."
Royal Marine Corporal Dean Harris, from Carmarthen, and Lieutenant Felix Carman, 26, from Gower, south Wales, are also among those freed. Mr Bye said Operator Maintainer Henderson's family had "spent 13 days just watching the news".
We are all so happy that he's been released David Elias, Carmarthen Athletic Rugby Team
The freed sailors are expected to arrive back at Heathrow at noon on Thursday.
Mr Bye said Andrew Henderson's family in Coedpoeth, Wrexham, had "spent 13 days just watching the news and we don't know any more details".
His parents Ted and Diane had been travelling from Wrexham to Portsmouth on Wednesday to be reunited with their son but had been advised by the Ministry of Defence to turn back, because the situation was "changing all the time".
Mr Bye said his nephew "wouldn't have had a problem" coping with captivity.Mr Bye said his nephew "wouldn't have had a problem" coping with captivity.
He added he and the other hostages looked relaxed but "I think it must have been very difficult for them".
A spokesman for Corp Harris' rugby club said the family was delighted at the news.
Dean Harris, from Carmarthen, is another of the freed Welsh sailors
David Elias, from Carmarthen Athletic Rugby Team, said: "We are chuffed that they have all been released. It's great news, and it's great for the family."
Corp Harris' best friend Gareth Owen said he was delighted at the news.
"I'm just putting the beer on ice for when he comes back," he added.
Speaking before her son's release, Lt Carman's mother, Alison Carman, said her son was an "optimistic person" who would remain positive.
Her last words to her son before he sailed to the Gulf on HMS Plymouth in January were: "Come back home safely."
Mrs Carman said she and husband Paul had often watched TV coverage of the captives through the night in an effort to catch a glimpse of their son.
The MoD press office said it was too early to say when the freed sailors would arrive back in the UK, but they are liaising with families.
An MoD spokesman said it was uncertain at this stage whether the 15 would be brought direct to Britain.