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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| 'No deal done with Iran' - Blair | 'No deal done with Iran' - Blair |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| British Prime Minister Tony Blair has insisted no deal was done to free 15 Royal Navy crew members, as they arrive at Heathrow after being held in Iran. | British Prime Minister Tony Blair has insisted no deal was done to free 15 Royal Navy crew members, as they arrive at Heathrow after being held in Iran. |
| They were released "without any deal, without any negotiation, without any side agreement of any nature," he said. | |
| New lines of communication had opened during the 13-day crisis, which it would be "sensible" to pursue, he said. | New lines of communication had opened during the 13-day crisis, which it would be "sensible" to pursue, he said. |
| But he said there must be no weakening of resolve on other issues, like Iran's alleged support for terrorism in Iraq. | But he said there must be no weakening of resolve on other issues, like Iran's alleged support for terrorism in Iraq. |
| "At the same time as we are open to bilateral dialogue and to pursue the lines of communication that have been opened up in the last two weeks, we have to hold absolutely firm in relation to support from any aspect of the Iranian regime for terrorism," he said. | |
| 'Terrorist act' | 'Terrorist act' |
| Speaking as the Royal Navy crew arrived back at Heathrow, Mr Blair said he rejoiced at their return. | Speaking as the Royal Navy crew arrived back at Heathrow, Mr Blair said he rejoiced at their return. |
| But it had to be tempered with the "ugly reality" of the deaths of four British soldiers in Iraq, killed by "a terrorist act" in Basra. | But it had to be tempered with the "ugly reality" of the deaths of four British soldiers in Iraq, killed by "a terrorist act" in Basra. |
| The general picture ... is there are elements at least of the Iranian regime that are backing, financing, arming, terrorism in Iraq Tony Blair | The general picture ... is there are elements at least of the Iranian regime that are backing, financing, arming, terrorism in Iraq Tony Blair |
| The Ministry of Defence confirmed on Thursday that four soldiers had been killed in a roadside bomb blast and a fifth was seriously injured. | |
| Mr Blair said it was "far too early" to point to any Iranian involvement in that particular attack. | Mr Blair said it was "far too early" to point to any Iranian involvement in that particular attack. |
| But he added: "The general picture, as I have said before, is there are elements at least of the Iranian regime that are backing, financing, arming, terrorism in Iraq." | But he added: "The general picture, as I have said before, is there are elements at least of the Iranian regime that are backing, financing, arming, terrorism in Iraq." |
| Revolutionary Guard | Revolutionary Guard |
| The Royal Navy crew members had disembarked from HMS Cornwall in the Gulf on 23 March when they were detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. | |
| The Iranians accused the crew of straying into its waters, although the British have insisted throughout that they were in Iraqi territory. | The Iranians accused the crew of straying into its waters, although the British have insisted throughout that they were in Iraqi territory. |
| Mr Blair was asked if the UK had promised not to stray into its waters, Mr Blair said British forces should not be in Iranian waters - but added "it is our contention that they weren't". | Mr Blair was asked if the UK had promised not to stray into its waters, Mr Blair said British forces should not be in Iranian waters - but added "it is our contention that they weren't". |
| The crew are being flown by helicopter from Heathrow | The crew are being flown by helicopter from Heathrow |
| He was also asked about suggestions that an Iranian official held in Iraq had been released and that consular access had been granted to others. | He was also asked about suggestions that an Iranian official held in Iraq had been released and that consular access had been granted to others. |
| But Mr Blair replied: "There are no agreements about any Iranians that may be held in Iraq because they are being held in Iraq as a result of interference in the business of Iraq." | But Mr Blair replied: "There are no agreements about any Iranians that may be held in Iraq because they are being held in Iraq as a result of interference in the business of Iraq." |
| He said Britain had no quarrel with the Iranian people and that the international community would help Iran develop a civil and scientific nuclear programme. | |
| And he defended the government's "dual-track strategy" during the crisis - saying they had been open to talks with Iran, but it had also been important to mobilise international support - amid criticism that it had angered Iran. | |
| "In my view it would be utterly naive to believe that our personnel would have been released unless both elements of the strategy had been present," he said. | |
| The 15 navy personnel are being flown by helicopter to Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor in Devon, where they will be de-briefed and given thorough health checks. | The 15 navy personnel are being flown by helicopter to Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor in Devon, where they will be de-briefed and given thorough health checks. |