[Tanser_Man]

I guess you have all heard about the drama unfolding in the Gulf involving 15 of our Royal Navy service people being held captive by Iranian officials, most notably Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who is the Iranian President.

What are your views on this?

Can it now be avoided, if so, how?

I think the captives aren’t being held simply for a breach of the territorial boundaries, if this was the case they should have ordered the British servicemen out of Iranian waters. Instead they send a fleet of heavily armed boats and take them captive and release two sets of co-ordinates to back up there claims. That’s why in my opinion I don’t think it’s a case of territory; it was planned and was aimed at sticking two fingers up at the west while using the service people as bait or for political gain.

Don’t forget only a couple of years ago we accidently crossed into Iranian waters and openly admitted this and apologized straight away, which leads you to ask why this time? I think you’ll find this time Iran is in the wrong and not our troops.

They are trying to make a mockery of our troops and will continue to do so! In my opinion an ultimatum has to be made, either the troops are released (and this is after the preliminary talks have ended without movement) or we will remove them with force. I’m all for peace and tranquility but provocation like this and the way they have been paraded internationally through the media has been disgusting.

If the Iranian Government fail to comply, what would be the best action in this situation?

Is Iran looking for something bigger then just the apology they are voicing?

I think the international community is scared to act on Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in fear of being dragged into the Middle Eastern affair, hence why the UN and EU has suitably turned there noses up at us in this situation.

Views please, and don’t shoot me for having an opinion.

[spacebandit]

We put some of our very few ships closer in the area.

We say we have proved we were not in the wrong under international law regarding international waters, and that UK forces boarding boats and ships in international waters is covered by UN mandate - [I believe the war is wrong but thats another issue]

We give them 24 hours to free the 15 unharmed

If they do not comply, we hit their nuclear reprocessing sites with cruise missiles.

If they still do not comply - it must be taken as an act of war

We blockade

Under the terms of the Nato Alliance, we expect support from our NATO Allies. Under the terms of the European Union Joint Military Strategy we expect support in our actions from fellow EU countries, they will assist in the blockade.

If we don't get it we withdraw from both organisations, and that gives the United States the excuse it needs to invade Iran - under the guise of fulfilling its obligations to its ally.

And deep down a military confrontation with the US is something I suspect Iran wants - so it can martyr itself in front of the arab world.

Well, just this once we should oblige and give them what they want.

the 15, unfortunately have to accept the risks they shouyld have known existed.



In the meantime :


If the 15 are harmed, we move into the Iranian Embassy and arrest the Iranian Ambassador and his staff, move them into an undisclosed location.

I am sick of pussyfooting around, everyone else seems to ignore international law at will when it comes to things like this, its time we joined them.

[Sunny_01]

I think that sadly our troops are being used in the name of something far bigger. Iran are using these sailors as an excuse to goad the USA! thats who they are targetting. The USA are sitting pretty for the minute but will be rubbing their hands at the thought of invading yet another arab country.

It sickens me to see them paraded out on national TV, how heart breaking must it be for the loved ones. Yes they can see they are alive but to know they are prisoners must be just awful.

Tony Blair has to be seen to take some kind of action, whether political or not, sitting back and chatting about it is getting those 15 soldiers no-where.

I hate war and what it does to people but I hate it even more when countries use individuals as a bargaining tool in their petty politics.

[James]

They've been released by Iran...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/6525905.stm

[Sunny_01]

Thats excellent news James thanks for that

[rex3]

The UK Goverment are ****, USA kidnapped and still have 5 irannian diplomats, but you havent heard of them on the news, and nor have they been given back

Tony Blair sounds so pathetic, his still on about Iran supporting terrorism in Iraq.... which every diplomat know is a lie.


Edited by Sunny_01 - swearing is not allowed if this continues a warning will be issued

[Tanser_Man]

Originally posted by rex3
The UK Goverment are ass wholes, USA kidnapped and still have 5 irannian diplomats, but you havent heard of them on the news, and nor have they been given back

Tony Blair sounds so pathetic, his still on about Iran supporting terrorism in Iraq.... which every diplomat know is a lie.

But why were the Iranians 'kidnapped'?!

You seem to forget the reasons! Just because they are being held by Americans doesn't mean there reasons are automatically unjust! They have been held because they have been, allegedly, conducting attacks on Iraqi security forces, unless you have inside knowledge or know these Iranians personally you can't possibly comment or question the Americans for doing so.

That said, i'm glad diplomacy provailed but i'm still curious as to the Iranian President's motives in all of this.

Is Iran supplying and supporting terrorism in Iraq? I don't think anybody can 100% answer that honestly and truthfully.

[Sunny_01]

Kidnapped? I thought the Iranians were being detained for illegal activity or alleged illegal activity! Either way this has nothing to do with the 15 troops that were being detained.

The americans are holding them as they feel it is justified and unless someone has there ears to the white house etc then we will never really know. Every side will have it's own propoganda machine running and I suppose it is down to which side you believe or choose to stand by.

[rex3]

Oh come one, you know what i meant, look at how the Americans treat the Iranians and look at how the Iranians treat the "allied" forces.

Ahmadinijad has met and spoken to the Iraqi president and primeminister, Syria and Iran were labelled the Axis of Evil. America brings out films like 300 propaganda at Iran.

Only selfish people wont understand the real unjustice.

Blair and Bish are pissed off, becuase the Axis of Evil image is wearing off, hence its harder to go to war with Iran.

[rex3]

Originally posted by Sunny_01
Every side will have it's own propoganda machine running and I suppose it is down to which side you believe or choose to stand by.

its not who you choose to stand by, its are you analysing both "propaganda" fairly

[Sunny_01]

I "choose" to be loyal to this country. I am not interested in the slightest in America or what they get up to, I am only interested in the things that have an impact on my life.

I know that sounds like I have a narrow view of the world, but with all the poverty, fighting, death etc.. that is happening on my own doorstep I think I have enough to worry about without taking on the worries of the world.

I choose not to read the mass produced propaganda that is generated from the middle east.

[Tanser_Man]

To be honest i think the Iranians and Americans are as bad as each other, they both slate each other at every given opportunity, they've both make it clear they wouldn't and can't co-operate with each other and they'll both be to blame should this end in a bloody war! It isn't about who is right and who is wrong and which facts you can pull from under the carpet, it's about what you can do to stop the situation from esculating but both sides are doing nothing of the sort and with every speech comes more anger.

Yes the Americans are no saints, but neither are the Iranians.