Do you think iran or Britian was right in the case of the captured sailors?

Willis Jeffords

Britain was clearly right.

Their situation was made better by the fact that Iran lost face in the international community. China, Russia opposed Iran in the UN. Russia stopped shipments of uranium to Iran temporarily.

Iran showed its true colors, and by playing the victim, Britain comes out ahead in the PR war.

Catspaw

I distrust Iran on principle.

Heidi 4

Britain was right. Iran should be discounted on every level. It was all a miserable propaganda stunt.

Lukecore

While I don't think we shouldn't be involved in this middle east lark at all, Iran deliberately took 15 British navy personnel hostage as some kind of bizarre political stunt, and as such are very much in the wrong. That they used the officers for propaganda and used Ms Turney as a means of attacking women's rights makes it worse.

Whatever their government may think, it looks to me like it's made an eventual invasion even more likely.

just the facts

I do not CARE what Iran says, I will NEVER believe them. Even IF the Brits were in the Iranian territorial waters, they are our allies and friends, and I support them. Period. In our dealings with other nations, I would hope that my country would always be right, but whether right or wrong, I am for my country. In this case, I substitute Great Britain for my country.

Filthy Lucre

"IF" the marines were actually in Iranian waters, then Iran would have the SOVEREIGN right to board the vessel and detain them - IF THEY COULD.

But, it is EVERY forces' personnel's military duty to DEFEND against such thing, and so surrendering like that was not a noble or honourable thing to do.

The fundamental point of being in the military is defence, and it's as simple as that.

brainstorm

The border on this waterway has long been disputed so both sides could think they are right.
The big question is why do highly trained British armed forces give in so easily to a hostile act without a shot being fired?
The only explanation apart from cowardice is that they knew they were in the wrong place and were under orders not to use their weapons if challenged.
It's a big propaganda coup for the Iranians who have emerged as looking generous and strong whereas Blair and the British government have looked powerless.

hanlexstga

I think they both played their part. However, Iran made the British look like fools. I Iranians handled this very diplomatically. They did not force the to hostages to lie. It was comforting to know it was handled diplomatically. I believe Bush and Blair would have used it as the excuse for war.

Kikkaz

Well according to initial reports, the Iranians had given certain co-ordinates as to where they had captured and arrested the British soldiers. When Britian then pointed out to them that those very same co-ordinates issued, actually proved that they were WITHIN Iraqi territorial waters, the Iranians promptly excused themselves for their mistake and gave out another set of co-ordinates which placed them within their own waters.

The matter was closed right from the beginning, as far as I can see!

thewilds01

Iran

Laughing Man Copycat

Taking Sailors was one of the causes of the War of 1812. Score one for the English.

interested

First i do not think that they were supposed to hover over Iran and enter their country without Iran's permission. secondly, if they were to use weapons the en tier world will be against them , the Brits are not in a state of war against Iran. wht is this , someone enters yur territory what do u expect iran to do, well they could have shot them instead they held them captive. your question should be in my opinion is that what do we think of how Iran handled the situation? which i think , was the best way ever done by a notorious leader known for his gang ho behavior. this time he proved to be sane ...

crusherdrivin f

they both where. Iran for taking them in the first place they could have said you are in our waters now please leave, the brits then could have said they are not your water but left to come back another day.

Now the brits where wrong because they should have known where they where and if they where in international or Iraq waters then it was an act of war and they should have fired right then ad there, also tony should have said you have 2 hours to give our people back or die and when they did not get released sent every plane in the RAF over and gve them hell

I was Thinking

Who really knows, both will give their version, and they are believed by whoever supports who!
I think Iran handled it well, now its over, Britain shouldn't try and re-spin it, shut up. (I'm British)

some polisci major

If all the British fold like those marines did, Iran has nothing to worry about

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