Detained servicemen freed by Iran
Eight British soldiers and marines who were detained after straying into Iranian territorial waters have left the Persian Gulf area for Tehran, state-run Iranian television reported.
The Arabic language Al-Alam station did not say when the sailors would leave Iran or what the purpose of the Tehran visit was. Diplomats suggested the detainees would leave Tehran by air for London.
Iran and Britain issued a series of on-off reports Wednesday about the six Royal Marines and two sailors detained on Monday after their boats crossed on to the Iranian side of the Shatt al-Arab waterway that runs along the Iran-Iraq border.
Iran had earlier said it would prosecute the British servicemen for illegally entering Iranian territory but softened its position later saying they would be freed if interrogations proved the servicemen had “no bad intention”.
The softening tone came after two telephone conversations between Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi, and constant dialogue between the British and Iranian officials.
Britain has said the eight servicemen were delivering a new patrol boat to Iraq’s river police when they were detained.
Iran will keep the three boats in which the British troops were travelling, as well as their weapons and other equipment, Al-Alam has reported.
