Comments:Iran: The British Royal Navy sailors confessed to illegal entry into Iran's waters

So, the Islamic dictatorship of Iran seized fifteen serving members of Her Majesty's Royal Navy while they went about their duties in Iraqi territorial waters as part of the international peace keeping force currently stationed there. This unprovoked and illegal act of the Iranians is nothing other than an act of war against a peaceful power. Her Majesty's Government should demand the immediate release of these members of the British Armed Forces. If they are not released by midnight tonight, GMT, then the following should occur:

(1) British Armed forces should enter the territory of Iran to recover personnel; and

(2) All Iranian diplomats in the United Kingdom should be expelled forthwith.

Whether or not the personnel are freed by midnight, the Iranians should be required to make a full public apology and to pay to Her Majesty's Government reparations for their behaviour. If the payment of reparations is not forthcoming, Iranian state assets in the United Kingdom should be seized.

Such belligerent behaviour from the dictatorship of Iran should be met with a swift and decisive response from the British Government. Acts of war against Her Britannic Majesty should not go unpunished. Failure to act encourages murderous, tyrannical regimes like that of Iran.

With George Bush in office, with the whole of the American 5th Fleet in the area, I don't think the Iranians would have chanced capturing 15 American sailors at gunpoint, not unless they have a particular fetish for Tomahawk guided missiles. Unless the Iraninans are forced to pay in some way for their belligerence, such antics will only continue in the years to come. Brian | (Talk) | ^{New Zealand Portal} 22:14, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

You took the words right out of my mouth. Given that they are being charged with spying now, I think that war may be unevitable now. DragonFire1024 06:08, 25 March 2007 (UTC)

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I think that Britain should remain as diplomatic as possible in this ordeal. If Britain does take military action (or even threaten such action), then they will look like the agressor after the fact. While Iran has definitely gone overboard, it seems like the actions of Middle Eastern countries are underplayed dramatically in comparison to the West. Just speculating, but even if Iran tortured and released the soldiers after negotiations, Britain would probably still look like the "bad guys."

I doubt this will go so far as executing the soldiers (which is the penalty for espionage in Iran), but considering the whole nuclear episode that is still going on, I wouldn't underestimate Iran's audacity.