#1Mar 23rd, 2007
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Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
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#2
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007
I wonder where Blackleaf is?
#3
Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007
Fifteen Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
23rd March 2007
Fifteen British sailors and marines were seized at gunpoint by Iranian forces in the Gulf today.
The men were in two inflatable boats on the Shatt al Arab waterway near Basra (Iraqi waters, not Iranian) when they were surrounded by vessels from the Revolutionary Guard.
On patrol: British marines on Iraq's Shatt al Arab waterway. A group of 15, including sailors, were seized from their boats in the same area today
They are believed to have been taken to an Iranian base where they are being held.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett summoned Iran's ambassador to London, Rasoul Movahedian, to the Foreign Office.
She demanded their immediate release and was expected to warn Iran not to repeat what happened in 2004 when six Royal Marines and two sailors were seized and paraded blindfolded on Iranian TV.
They were accused of spying and some were told they were going to be executed before being released after three days.
Today, the marines and sailors from HMS Cornwall had just searched a dhow which was suspected of carrying smuggled cars.
The Ministry of Defence insisted the men were in Iraqi waters and had not strayed into Iranian territory because they were using global positioning systems.
A spokesman said: "At 10.30 Iraqi time 15 British personnel engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters were seized by Iranian naval vessels.
"The boarding party had completed a successful inspection of a merchant ship when 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. The Government is demanding the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment."
Flashback: Hostages paraded on TV in 2004. Below: Iran's ambassador to London, Rasoul Movahedian, was summoned to the Foreign Office by Margaret Beckett
Tony Blair was being kept fully informed about developments.
The men were seized hours after a senior British Army officer backed claims that Iranian agents are paying Iraqi men in Basra £250 a month to attack British troops.
The commanding officer of HMS Cornwall, Commodore Nick Lambert,told the BBC: "My immediate concern obviously is for my people.
"I have got 15 sailors and marines who have been arrested by the Iranians. My immediate concern is that their safety and their safe return to me is ensured.
"I can assure all of the families who are listening out there that everything is being done at the highest level of the UK Government - and indeed of the coalition structure that we are working under - to ensure that safe return as soon as possible."
He stressed that he hoped the incident was due to a "misunderstanding" and that "clarification" would come shortly from the Iranian authorities.
Asked about the previous seizure of Royal Navy personnel, he said: "It's happened before. That's the nature of the beast we are working with."
Commodore Lambert insisted that there was no doubt in his mind that the marines and sailors were in Iraqi waters.
They are said to be safe and well, according to reports.
British ships routinely patrol the waterway to ensure Iraq's oil supplies can be exported.
BBC reporter Ian Pannell on HMS Cornwall said a number of Iranian boats approached the two inflatables "and essentially captured the Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel at gunpoint".
As part of the diplomatic effort the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, Peter Ricketts, was due to warn Tehran that the men must be released.
dailymail.co.uk
---------
Come on, Iran! Bring it on, you ****ing idiots!
23rd March 2007
Fifteen British sailors and marines were seized at gunpoint by Iranian forces in the Gulf today.
The men were in two inflatable boats on the Shatt al Arab waterway near Basra (Iraqi waters, not Iranian) when they were surrounded by vessels from the Revolutionary Guard.
On patrol: British marines on Iraq's Shatt al Arab waterway. A group of 15, including sailors, were seized from their boats in the same area today
They are believed to have been taken to an Iranian base where they are being held.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett summoned Iran's ambassador to London, Rasoul Movahedian, to the Foreign Office.
She demanded their immediate release and was expected to warn Iran not to repeat what happened in 2004 when six Royal Marines and two sailors were seized and paraded blindfolded on Iranian TV.
They were accused of spying and some were told they were going to be executed before being released after three days.
Today, the marines and sailors from HMS Cornwall had just searched a dhow which was suspected of carrying smuggled cars.
The Ministry of Defence insisted the men were in Iraqi waters and had not strayed into Iranian territory because they were using global positioning systems.
A spokesman said: "At 10.30 Iraqi time 15 British personnel engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters were seized by Iranian naval vessels.
"The boarding party had completed a successful inspection of a merchant ship when 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. The Government is demanding the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment."
Flashback: Hostages paraded on TV in 2004. Below: Iran's ambassador to London, Rasoul Movahedian, was summoned to the Foreign Office by Margaret BeckettTony Blair was being kept fully informed about developments.
The men were seized hours after a senior British Army officer backed claims that Iranian agents are paying Iraqi men in Basra £250 a month to attack British troops.
The commanding officer of HMS Cornwall, Commodore Nick Lambert,told the BBC: "My immediate concern obviously is for my people.
"I have got 15 sailors and marines who have been arrested by the Iranians. My immediate concern is that their safety and their safe return to me is ensured.
"I can assure all of the families who are listening out there that everything is being done at the highest level of the UK Government - and indeed of the coalition structure that we are working under - to ensure that safe return as soon as possible."
He stressed that he hoped the incident was due to a "misunderstanding" and that "clarification" would come shortly from the Iranian authorities.
Asked about the previous seizure of Royal Navy personnel, he said: "It's happened before. That's the nature of the beast we are working with."
Commodore Lambert insisted that there was no doubt in his mind that the marines and sailors were in Iraqi waters.
They are said to be safe and well, according to reports.
British ships routinely patrol the waterway to ensure Iraq's oil supplies can be exported.
BBC reporter Ian Pannell on HMS Cornwall said a number of Iranian boats approached the two inflatables "and essentially captured the Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel at gunpoint".
As part of the diplomatic effort the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, Peter Ricketts, was due to warn Tehran that the men must be released.
dailymail.co.uk
---------
Come on, Iran! Bring it on, you ****ing idiots!
Last edited by Blackleaf; Mar 23rd, 2007 at 12:16 PM..
#4
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007
that was a really dumb move by IRAN, but I am wondering to myself already... were the soldiers up to good things? or were they pushing their luck? I'm sure we'll never find out anyway, and bush is determined to go to war with iran and so of course is anyone else who doesnt want to get a bomb on their head
#5
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007
What Iran did is an act of war. If the reports are correct and the British soldiers were in Iraqi waters, then Britain has every right to go in and rescue them.
This could get ugly.
This could get ugly.
#6
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by crit13
I've deleted all but the most important words in your post.If the reports are correct .
#7
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007
Then you may as well take your magical eraser and delete 95% of everything that has ever been posted on this site.
#8
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007
haha maybe. My point being that we'll never know what happened. nothing that comes from the mainstream media OR the loony-bin conspiracy theorist groups is trustworthy.
#9
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007
I personally feel that's the act of aggression that will spark this war.....
well, if it's true they WERE in Iraqi water...it certainly is an act of war (I know our allies have gone to war with US for less)
well, if it's true they WERE in Iraqi water...it certainly is an act of war (I know our allies have gone to war with US for less)
#10
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by EagleSmack
--I wonder where Blackleaf is?
#11
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by Blackleaf
You do know that they had 'strayed' into Iranian waters right? Even in 2004 I'm quite sure the navy had the means to tell where they actuall were.She demanded their immediate release and was expected to warn Iran not to repeat what happened in 2004 when six Royal Marines and two sailors were seized and paraded blindfolded on Iranian TV.
They were accused of spying and some were told they were going to be executed before being released after three days.
Today, the marines and sailors from HMS Cornwall had just searched a dhow which was suspected of carrying smuggled cars.
The Ministry of Defence insisted the men were in Iraqi waters and had not strayed into Iranian territory because they were using global positioning systems.
You seem to have left this part out in your post. Even when apprehended in another countries waters the British 'insisted on their immediate release'. They were in Iran illegally.
This time the boat they boarded was Iranian, do you even care if it was headed for Iran or leaveing iran for other ports. It would seem that if Iran wanted to 'smuggle cars into Iraq' they could drive them there. (are cars now a banned item in Iraq?)
Did you also know that the US boat that shot down an Iranian airliner was in Iranian waters at the time they fired?
No Party Affiliation
#12
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by MHz
Have any proof to back that up? Everything I have read indicates they were in Iraqi waters, not Iran.You do know that they had 'strayed' into Iranian waters right? Even in 2004 I'm quite sure the navy had the means to tell where they actuall were.
#13
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007
well it sucks, but on the other hand..if the british troops were in britain where they belonged......
#14
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by mapleleafgirl
Ah, but let's not play that one, ONE of the myriad of reasons for Islamic fundamentalists attacking is that half the continent once belonged to them.....well Iran once belonged to Great Britain.well it sucks, but on the other hand..if the british troops were in britain where they belonged......
not that that is a clever reason, but if it's good for the goose
#15
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by DurkaDurka
The incident I'm talking about was the 2004 event.Have any proof to back that up? Everything I have read indicates they were in Iraqi waters, not Iran.
--
" 21 June 2004: Eight British sailors are held in Iran after their vessel apparently strays into Iranian waters near the border with Iraq. They are released three days later following negotiations between British diplomats and Iranian officials."
--
"Al-Alam broadcast footage of the two men reading statements, standing next to a river. "My name is Thomas Hawkins from the British Royal Navy, number D04428," said the first officer.
"I was arrested yesterday [Monday] by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards after we entered Iranian territorial waters," he said, according to the Arabic voice-over.
"Our team of three boats and eight crew entered Iranian waters by mistake. We apologise because this was a big mistake," he said."
The airliner.
--"Iran Air Flight 655 (IR655) was a commercial flight operated by -- that flew from --, -- to --, --. On -- --, --, the aircraft flying IR655 was shot down by the -- guided missile cruiser -- between Bandar Abbas and Dubai, killing all 290 passengers and crew aboard, including 38 non--- and 66 children. The Vincennes was inside Iranian territorial waters at the time of the shoot-down."
Do you have any info on just how the UN worded the 'permissions' for boarding ships, like is it a 'blanket authority' or are there any restrictions on who can be boarded?
#16
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by MHz
The US ship was NOT in Iranian waters when it took out that airliner. Where do you folks get this stuff. Screwing up and shooting down an airliner is bad enough but then you add that it was in Iranian waters.You do know that they had 'strayed' into Iranian waters right? Even in 2004 I'm quite sure the navy had the means to tell where they actuall were.
You seem to have left this part out in your post. Even when apprehended in another countries waters the British 'insisted on their immediate release'. They were in Iran illegally.
This time the boat they boarded was Iranian, do you even care if it was headed for Iran or leaveing iran for other ports. It would seem that if Iran wanted to 'smuggle cars into Iraq' they could drive them there. (are cars now a banned item in Iraq?)
Did you also know that the US boat that shot down an Iranian airliner was in Iranian waters at the time they fired?
#17
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by mapleleafgirl
troops generally belong wherever they're posted. Quite often this isn't their homeland. American troops belong in america? hmm not precisely although things might (or might not) be better if they were... you see my point?well it sucks, but on the other hand..if the british troops were in britain where they belonged......
#18
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by DurkaDurka
I think he is talking about the incident in 2004 in which they were in the Iranian part of the Shatal Arab (sic) Waterway.Have any proof to back that up? Everything I have read indicates they were in Iraqi waters, not Iran.
#19
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007
--
My post is waiting an OK from the mods, hopefully this one gets through
My post is waiting an OK from the mods, hopefully this one gets through
#20
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by Blackleaf
Where was the ship that the inflatables came from? Those Royal Marines should have just gone back to the ship or should have stalled and radioed for help. It could not have been that far away. Now they are going to be stuck in Iran for who knows how long. Not very good response time for your navy.Fifteen Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
23rd March 2007
Fifteen British sailors and marines were seized at gunpoint by Iranian forces in the Gulf today.
The men were in two inflatable boats on the Shatt al Arab waterway near Basra (Iraqi waters, not Iranian) when they were surrounded by vessels from the Revolutionary Guard.
On patrol: British marines on Iraq's Shatt al Arab waterway. A group of 15, including sailors, were seized from their boats in the same area today
They are believed to have been taken to an Iranian base where they are being held.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett summoned Iran's ambassador to London, Rasoul Movahedian, to the Foreign Office.
She demanded their immediate release and was expected to warn Iran not to repeat what happened in 2004 when six Royal Marines and two sailors were seized and paraded blindfolded on Iranian TV.
They were accused of spying and some were told they were going to be executed before being released after three days.
Today, the marines and sailors from HMS Cornwall had just searched a dhow which was suspected of carrying smuggled cars.
The Ministry of Defence insisted the men were in Iraqi waters and had not strayed into Iranian territory because they were using global positioning systems.
A spokesman said: "At 10.30 Iraqi time 15 British personnel engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters were seized by Iranian naval vessels.
"The boarding party had completed a successful inspection of a merchant ship when 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. The Government is demanding the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment."
Tony Blair was being kept fully informed about developments.
The men were seized hours after a senior British Army officer backed claims that Iranian agents are paying Iraqi men in Basra £250 a month to attack British troops.
The commanding officer of HMS Cornwall, Commodore Nick Lambert,told the BBC: "My immediate concern obviously is for my people.
"I have got 15 sailors and marines who have been arrested by the Iranians. My immediate concern is that their safety and their safe return to me is ensured.
"I can assure all of the families who are listening out there that everything is being done at the highest level of the UK Government - and indeed of the coalition structure that we are working under - to ensure that safe return as soon as possible."
He stressed that he hoped the incident was due to a "misunderstanding" and that "clarification" would come shortly from the Iranian authorities.
Asked about the previous seizure of Royal Navy personnel, he said: "It's happened before. That's the nature of the beast we are working with."
Commodore Lambert insisted that there was no doubt in his mind that the marines and sailors were in Iraqi waters.
They are said to be safe and well, according to reports.
British ships routinely patrol the waterway to ensure Iraq's oil supplies can be exported.
BBC reporter Ian Pannell on HMS Cornwall said a number of Iranian boats approached the two inflatables "and essentially captured the Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel at gunpoint".
As part of the diplomatic effort the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, Peter Ricketts, was due to warn Tehran that the men must be released.
dailymail.co.uk
---------
Come on, Iran! Bring it on, you ****ing idiots!
#21
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007
Where the hell was HMS Cornwall when this happened? If they were on approach to their ship, wouldn't the Cornwall have been able to see visually or with radar that there were vessels approaching? They shoulda blew em out of the water....
Republican
#22
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007
This is probly just coincidence but weren't islamic terrorists of the 7/7 bus bombing just arrested with much mob whipping hoopla a couple of days ago? haha Who want's to go to war for GW or Blair Petroleum.?
Republican
#23
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by Tonington
I wonder where that HMS Cornwall got to? Somebody wasn't watching a boarding party, that's how to loose boarding partys isn't it?Where the hell was HMS Cornwall when this happened? If they were on approach to their ship, wouldn't the Cornwall have been able to see visually or with radar that there were vessels approaching? They shoulda blew em out of the water....
#24
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by Tonington
That is what I am saying. I know the facts aren't in and at this point all we can do is speculate.Where the hell was HMS Cornwall when this happened? If they were on approach to their ship, wouldn't the Cornwall have been able to see visually or with radar that there were vessels approaching? They shoulda blew em out of the water....
These Marines and sailors were in inflatables which typically are not open sea boats. Sure they can sail on the seas but I wouldn't think they were launched over the horizon if you know what I mean. If the Captain of the HMS Cornwall had this whole incident happen under his nose and he just watched the Iranians circle his crew and take them w/o a fight... well he should walk the plank.
#25
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by darkbeaver
Holy Smoke we agree!I wonder where that HMS Cornwall got to? Somebody wasn't watching a boarding party, that's how to loose boarding partys isn't it?
#26
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by EagleSmack
Hah, I noticed we kinda posted the same question.That is what I am saying. I know the facts aren't in and at this point all we can do is speculate.
These Marines and sailors were in inflatables which typically are not open sea boats. Sure they can sail on the seas but I wouldn't think they were launched over the horizon if you know what I mean. If the Captain of the HMS Cornwall had this whole incident happen under his nose and he just watched the Iranians circle his crew and take them w/o a fight... well he should walk the plank.
Walk the plank for sure. Something isn't adding up.
Republican
#27
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by hermanntrude
You still think it's two different groups eh, I mean the mainstream media and loonie -bin. How can you tell the difference?haha maybe. My point being that we'll never know what happened. nothing that comes from the mainstream media OR the loony-bin conspiracy theorist groups is trustworthy.
Republican
#28
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by EagleSmack
Now I'm really scared hahahahah.Holy Smoke we agree!
#29
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007
because one tells one kind of lies and the other tells others. Both serve themselves but usually only one makes money from it, which is probably why it's easier to tell when the loonies are talking BS
#30
Re: Start of war? 15 Royal Marines and sailors seized by Iranians
Mar 23rd, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by MHz
You are absolutly correct and I humbly apologize. I don't usually take Wiki as a definitive source as anyone can add to it but I read a link (off the site) of a report done by a USMC officer that said the Vincennes pursued Iranian Gunboats into Iranian territorial waters (12 miles) after an engagement and that is where they engaged the airliner.--
My post is waiting an OK from the mods, hopefully this one gets through
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