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Freed crew 'delighted to be home' Freed crew 'delighted to be home'
(about 1 hour later)
The 15 Royal Navy sailors and marines held in Iran for almost two weeks have spoken of their happiness at being back in the UK and reunited with family. The 15 Royal Navy sailors and marines held in Iran for almost two weeks have spoken of their happiness at being back in the UK and reunited with relatives.
In a joint statement released following emotional scenes at a Royal Marines base in Devon, the crew said being home was a "dream come true".In a joint statement released following emotional scenes at a Royal Marines base in Devon, the crew said being home was a "dream come true".
On Wednesday, they were freed by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.On Wednesday, they were freed by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Tony Blair welcomed their return but accused elements of the Iranian regime of supporting terrorism in Iraq.Tony Blair welcomed their return but accused elements of the Iranian regime of supporting terrorism in Iraq.
'Dual strategy' Team spirit
Speaking for the first time in Britain, the 14 men and one woman said: "By staying together as a team we kept our spirits up, drawing great comfort from the knowledge that our loved ones would be awaiting for us on our return to the UK." Speaking for the first time in Britain, the 14 men and one woman said the welcome home was "one that none of us will ever forget".
"By staying together as a team we kept our spirits up, drawing great comfort from the knowledge that our loved ones would be awaiting for us on our return to the UK," they added.
Earlier, in a press conference outside Downing Street, Mr Blair said he was "glad" the crew had been returned "safe and unharmed".Earlier, in a press conference outside Downing Street, Mr Blair said he was "glad" the crew had been returned "safe and unharmed".
He said "no deal" had been done with the Iranians to secure the crew's release after 13 days in Iranian custody.He said "no deal" had been done with the Iranians to secure the crew's release after 13 days in Iranian custody.
He contrasted the rejoicing at the crew's return with the "sober and ugly reality" of the deaths of four British soldiers in Iraq in what he described as a "terrorist act".He contrasted the rejoicing at the crew's return with the "sober and ugly reality" of the deaths of four British soldiers in Iraq in what he described as a "terrorist act".
The crew were flown by helicopter to DevonThe crew were flown by helicopter to Devon
And he repeated allegations there were "elements of the Iranian regime" that were "financing, arming and supporting terrorism in Iraq".And he repeated allegations there were "elements of the Iranian regime" that were "financing, arming and supporting terrorism in Iraq".
However, he said it was "too early to say" whether the UK troops had been killed by Iranian-backed insurgents.However, he said it was "too early to say" whether the UK troops had been killed by Iranian-backed insurgents.
The prime minister said the government had pursued a "dual-track strategy" of remaining open to dialogue with Iran, while "mobilising international support and pressure".The prime minister said the government had pursued a "dual-track strategy" of remaining open to dialogue with Iran, while "mobilising international support and pressure".
"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.""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."
Iran, however, is insisting the UK apologised in a letter received on Tuesday, but a senior government source denies there being any apology.
One press agency, AFP, has reported the White House as saying US President George Bush welcomed the crew's safe return.One press agency, AFP, has reported the White House as saying US President George Bush welcomed the crew's safe return.
De-briefingDe-briefing
The navy personnel travelled first class on a British Airways flight from Tehran Airport to Heathrow, where they lined up in front of media before boarding helicopters.The navy personnel travelled first class on a British Airways flight from Tehran Airport to Heathrow, where they lined up in front of media before boarding helicopters.
CAPTURED NAVY PERSONNEL Chris Air, 25, from Altrincham in CheshireMark Banks, 24, of Lowestoft, SuffolkPaul Barton, of Southport, MerseysideArthur Batchelor, 20, of PlymouthFelix Carman, 26, of SwanseaGavin CavendishChristopher Coe, 31, of HuddersfieldDean Harris, 24, of Carmarthen, west WalesAndrew HendersonSimon MasseyDanny Masterton, 26, of Muirkirk, AyrshireAdam Sperry, 22, of Wigston, near LeicesterNathan Summers, of Hayle, CornwallJoe Tindell, 21, of south LondonFaye Turney, 26, originally from Shropshire Profiles of navy personnel Two versions of eventsCAPTURED NAVY PERSONNEL Chris Air, 25, from Altrincham in CheshireMark Banks, 24, of Lowestoft, SuffolkPaul Barton, of Southport, MerseysideArthur Batchelor, 20, of PlymouthFelix Carman, 26, of SwanseaGavin CavendishChristopher Coe, 31, of HuddersfieldDean Harris, 24, of Carmarthen, west WalesAndrew HendersonSimon MasseyDanny Masterton, 26, of Muirkirk, AyrshireAdam Sperry, 22, of Wigston, near LeicesterNathan Summers, of Hayle, CornwallJoe Tindell, 21, of south LondonFaye Turney, 26, originally from Shropshire Profiles of navy personnel Two versions of events
They then flew to Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor, in Devon, where they were reunited with their families.They then flew to Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor, in Devon, where they were reunited with their families.
The sailors and marines, dressed in military uniform, embraced relatives, friends and colleagues, and spoke on mobile phones to other loved ones.The sailors and marines, dressed in military uniform, embraced relatives, friends and colleagues, and spoke on mobile phones to other loved ones.
Penny Banks was reunited with her son, Lance Corporal Mark Banks. Penny Banks, who was reunited with her son, Lance Corporal Mark Banks, said: "We are delighted to have him back - it was nice to hold him again."
"We are delighted to have him back - it was nice to hold him again," she said.
A de-briefing and medical examinations are expected to take place later.A de-briefing and medical examinations are expected to take place later.
Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said the crew looked "very happy" and "in good shape".Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said the crew looked "very happy" and "in good shape".
"They did exactly as they should have done from start to finish in this entire incident and we're extremely proud of them," he added. "They did exactly as they should have done from start to finish... and we're extremely proud of them," he added.
BBC correspondents say military chiefs will be keen to assess the physical and psychological impact captivity has had on the crew.
Iranian television has broadcast pictures and statements from several members of the crew, including the only woman in the group, Leading Seaman Faye Turney.
Before they left Tehran, she was shown saying: "Apologies for our actions, but many thanks for having it in your hearts to let us go free."
HAVE YOUR SAY The UK government and its forces have been made to look like total fools Bob, Dundee Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The UK government and its forces have been made to look like total fools Bob, Dundee Send us your comments
The 15 service personnel had disembarked from HMS Cornwall in the Gulf when they were detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard on 23 March.
The Iranians accused the crew of straying into its waters, although the British have insisted throughout that they were in Iraqi territory.
It emerged on Thursday that in a television interview recorded before their capture, Capt Chris Air said one purpose of patrols in the area was to gather intelligence on any sort of Iranian activity.
The MoD said this was "entirely appropriate" and "all part of modern operations".
Commentators are divided over whether the release represents a diplomatic triumph for the UK, or a public relations coup for the Iranian president.Commentators are divided over whether the release represents a diplomatic triumph for the UK, or a public relations coup for the Iranian president.
A senior government source said Iran realised it had made a "clumsy mistake" and had "not done itself any favours".A senior government source said Iran realised it had made a "clumsy mistake" and had "not done itself any favours".
The source added the UK thought the matter might be resolved peacefully but had had no idea President Ahmadinejad would announce their release on Wednesday.The source added the UK thought the matter might be resolved peacefully but had had no idea President Ahmadinejad would announce their release on Wednesday.
The 15 service personnel had disembarked from HMS Cornwall in the Gulf when they were detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard on 23 March.
The Iranians accused the crew of straying into its waters, although the British have insisted throughout that they were in Iraqi territory.