Iran Kidnaps 15 British Navy Sailors
Fifteen Royal Navy personnel were today captured by Iran while they were conducting “routine boarding operations” in Iraqi waters, the Ministry of Defence said.
“At approximately 10.30am Iraqi time, 15 British naval personnel, engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters ... were seized by Iranian naval vessels,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The boarding party had completed a successful inspection of a merchant ship when they and their two boats were surrounded and escorted by Iranian vessels into Iranian territorial waters.
“We are urgently pursuing this matter with the Iranian authorities at the highest level and on the instructions of the Foreign Secretary, the Iranian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office. The British government is demanding the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment.”
This isn't the first time Iran has kidnapped British sailors. Iran should be made to understand that detaining any of the coalition's military would be deemed an "act of war". Though one would think training terrorists in Iraq and providing weapons would be seen as an act of war, but apparently everyone wants to look over that.
