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N, Iran -- Iran has confiscated three British vessels that had crossed into Iran's territorial waters and arrested eight sailors aboard the ships, according to Iranian state television.

The Iranian government confiscated weapons and maps from the ships on Monday as well, the Arabic language Al-Alam television reported.

"Iranian forces confiscated the ships and eight military personnel on board," the report said.

Al-Alam said crew members were carrying maps and weapons, The Associated Press reported.

It also said the ships were confiscated at about 11 a.m. between the Bahmanshir and Arvand rivers, which would put them in the Shatt-al-Arab waterway east of the Iraqi city of Faw, AP reported.

The broadcast gave no further details.

A Ministry of Defense spokesman said Britain had no war ships operating in Shatt al-Arab waterway between Iran and Iraq, although it did have some small patrols operating in the vicinity.

The spokesman said Britain did not know of any patrols that had been seized or confiscated and had not heard of any arrests.

Relations between Tehran and London have come under strain in recent weeks. Britain has joined other key U.N. members in accusing Iran of being uncooperative with the U.N. nuclear watchdog body. (Full story)






Edited by - ViperTTB on Jun 21 2004 06:59 AM

Pretty brazen move.

It will be interesting to see how the Brits handle this.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction"

Ronald Reagan

looks like the Brits need faster patrol boats lol

If we rolled into Iran those pols would reverse overnight. Lets do one half-assed war at a time, ok folks.

"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us". George Orwell

Fighting For Justice With Brains Of Steel !
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_________________
The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

do you think the iranian airforce would fight. Lord knows the airforce could use some more clay pigion practice.

The Iranian AF is not as roll-over as you think it is. In (relatively) recent battles between the IAF and the former IIAF, the IIAF put up a hell of a fight, much more than other countries like Syria and Egypt.

Iran also has the largest number of soldiers out of all the Arab countries in the region. 520,000 Regular and 320,000 Reserves. In comparison, Israel has 186,500 Regulars and 445,000 Reserves. Egypt has 450,000 Regulars and 254,000 Reserves.

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

Taking on Iran, would not be a cake walk by any means...There is a huge need to buttress them in that region, I am not sure the power vacum that is about to be created in Iraq is up to that task. That was a bold move, and it also should be an indication of what Iran thinks its posture can be in that region. The 1980's US stance of letting Iran and Iraq beat each other to a bloody stalemate may not have been such a bad idea.

It would be most inconvenient if Iran wanted to start up that old war again. I cannot imagine our intelligence is as up to snuff in that hole as we would like it to be.

Smitty

The Iranians seized three RN patrol craft and their crews today.

This situation just got a whole lot more interesting.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction"

Ronald Reagan

I hope the USN and USAF can handle them alone then. The USA and USMC are busy.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction"

Ronald Reagan

It don't work that way, Snipe. Two Soviet AF Generals meet in Paris and one asks the other "So who won the ground war?"

Air Supremacy is good, but you can't win with only Air. You nned Ground forces as well

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI