Friday, March 23, 2007

15 British sailors held by Iran | Iran | Guardian Unlimited

Gulf of Tonkin II anyone?

15 British sailors held by Iran | Iran | Guardian Unlimited: "The Iranian navy has detained up to 15 British sailors, the Ministry of Defence confirmed today.

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel were taken after they had boarded a dhow during a routine patrol in the Shatt al-Arab waterway at 10.30am local time.

While they were searching the fishing boat for possible smuggling activity, Iranian boats approached the vessel and captured the men at gunpoint and taken to an Iranian naval base.

The waterway has also been an important smuggling route for oil illegally exported from Iraq as well as a crossing point for groups opposed to the US-British occupation and seeking to infiltrate Iraq. The 120-mile tidal river is Iraq's only water access to the Gulf."