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Middle East
Timeline: Iran-Britain standoff
Timeline of crisis between Iran and Britain over the capture of 15 sailors.
Last Modified: 04 Apr 2007 13:45 GMT
The 15 sailors taken by Iran were
from the HMS Cornwall [AFP] 
The following outlines the situation since Iran captured 15 British navy crew members on March 23 while they were searching a cargo boat in the Gulf.
Iran says the 15 had trespassed into its waters but Britain says they were seized in Iraqi waters.

April 2

  • Iran says there have been "positive changes" in British policy on the standoff.
  • State radio says Tehran has taped "confessions" from all 15 captured sailors that they entered Iranian waters but will not air any more of them.
  • Previously unseen footage of some of the crew members are later aired but without audio.
  • London says two countries have agreed to discuss prevention of future similar disputes.
  • Ali Larijani, Iran's chief negotiator, says Iran wants a diplomatic solution and that there is no need to put the 15 on trial.

April 1

  • The UK calls "unacceptable" Iranian footage of two of the crew members separately "confessing" to being in Iranian waters when they were captured.
  • Iranian protesters throw petrol bombs, firecrackers and stones at the British embassy in Tehran.
  • Manouchehr Mottaki, the Iranian foreign minister, says Tehran is waiting for a "change in attitude" from Britain.

March 31

  • Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, criticises Britain's response to the crisis and calls Britain "arrogant" for not apologising.
  • George Bush, the US president, criticises Iran's seizure of the 15, calling them "hostages", and backs the British government stance that there will be no "quid pro quos".
  • Gholamreza Ansari, Iran's ambassador to Moscow, says legal process started against the 15 but later denies reports quoting him as saying they would face trial.

March 30

  • Iran airs interview with Nathan Summers, a captured crew member, who apologises for "trespassing" in Iranian waters.
  • Releases a letter allegedly from Faye Turney in which she says she has been "sacrificed" to the policies of the British and American governments.
  • Iran sends British embassy in Tehran formal note condemning the "illegal act" and demanding guarantees against "the recurrence of such acts".
 
March 29
 
  • Britain fails to win support from the UN Security Council for a strong statement to "deplore" Iran's actions.
  • Council agrees on watered-down statement expressing "grave concern" and calling for an early resolution of the problem, including the Britons' release.
  • A senior Iranian official says the sailors may be put on trial.
  • Tony Blair, the British prime minister, rejects any "quid pro quo or tit-for-tat" negotiation over hostages.
  • Tehran presents video purportedly showing capture of naval personnel in Iranian waters.
  • Iranian state television reports Turkey urging Iran to allow Turkish diplomatic access to the seized troops and to free the lone female sailor.
March 28
 
  • Tehran says it will allow visits to seized sailors but says UK must "admit mistake" to end the crisis.
  • Britain suspends official contact with Iran and Tony Blair, the prime minister, pledges to "ratchet up" pressure on Iran.
  • Tehran first says it will release Faye Turney, the only woman sailor held, on Wednesday or Thursday, then changes it to "as soon as possible".
  • Britain releases GPS (global positioning system) evidence to prove the group was 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi waters when seized.
  • Iranian television footage of the sailors and marines shows Turney saying "Obviously we trespassed in the [Iranian] waters".
  • Iranian authorities release a letter they say was written by Turney, 26, to her family in which she purportedly said she had apologised to the Iranians for trespassing.
  • Britain condemns Iran for publishing the letter and for airing the footage, raising concerns about possible coercion.
  • Britain produces a draft seeking UN Security Council endorsement to "deplore" Iran's actions.
 
March 27
 
  • Britain warns Iran of tensions escalating to a "different phase" if the standoff remains unresolved through diplomatic channels.
 
 
March 26
 
  • Iran denies the 15 were taken in exchange for Iranians held by the US in Iraq, saying they will have to answer allegations of illegal entry.
 
March 25
 
  • Tony Blair says the seizure is "serious" and wants the "unjustified and wrong" detention to end quickly.
  • Britain's ambassador to Iran demands to meet the 15, and calls for their immediate release.
 
March 24
 
  • The 15 sailors and marines, including one woman, are transferred to Tehran for questioning, an Iranian news agency reports.
  • Iranian authorities say navigational equipment from the seized frigate will prove the illegal entry.
  • Iran's military spokesman says the British service personnel admit to violating its territorial waters and rejects London's demands for their swift release.
 
March 23
 
  • Britain's defence ministry announces the capture of 15 sailors and marines from HMS Cornwall at gunpoint by the Iranian navy.
  • Iran says border guards arrested them after finding them entering illegally into its waters, but the UK says the group was well within Iraqi territory.
  • Iran's ambassador in London and British diplomats in Tehran are summoned for talks.
  • Margaret Beckett, Britain's foreign secretary, demands a "complete explanation" from Tehran.
Source:
Agencies
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