Iran Watch: Iran Seizes British Sailors in Iraq Waters

AP: Iran nabs British sailors in Iraq waters

Iranian naval vessels seized 15 British sailors in Iraqi waters on Friday, the Ministry of Defense said.

The British Navy personnel were “engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters,” and had completed a ship inspection when they were accosted by Iranian vessels, the ministry said.

“We are urgently pursuing this matter with the Iranian authorities at the highest level and … the Iranian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office,” the ministry said.

A Pentagon official said the Britons were in two inflatable boats from the frigate H.M.S. Cornwall during a routine smuggling investigation, said the official, who spoke on condition on anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the incident.

So, is this a show of force as Iran President Ahmadinejad prepares to leave for New York and a Saturday address to the United Nations Security Council?

A mistake or miscalculation?

Or was this planned?

Members of the British Royal Navy boat team patrol the Shatt al-Arab waterway that flows into the Gulf, December 2003. Some 15 British Royal Navy sailors were detained by Iranian navy vessels in the Gulf, the Ministry of Defence has said, adding that it was “urgently” seeking clarification from Tehran.

And remember this is not the first time this has happened. There was a similar incident in 2004.

In any case, Ahmadinejad will have alot to explain to Britain at the United Nations tomorrow.

Stay tuned for updates……

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