15 Brits Heading Home From Iran

British Sailors, Marines Released By Iran As Easter "Gift" Are On Flight To London

(CBS/AP)  Fifteen British sailors and marines who were held captive in Iran are on their way home. The jet carrying the sailors and marines left Tehran for London at about 8:30 a.m. local time (1 a.m. EDT).

The fourteen men and one woman, who were captured March 23rd when Iran claimed the British were in Iranian waters, boarded the plane at a Tehran airport early Thursday after other passengers had taken their seats.

The fifteen British citizens arrived at the Tehran airport about a half hour earlier, in a convoy of sedans that drove directly to the presidential VIP section of the airport.

The convoy was escorted by several cars belonging to Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards. British ambassador to Iran, Geoffrey Adams, who was at the airport, declined to comment.

Before boarding, the sailors received gifts given to them on Ahmadinejad's behalf, Iran's state-run news agency, IRNA, reported.

The 15 British sailors and marines received handicrafts, books, pistachio nuts, a Persian sweet called "gaz" and a vase as gifts, the Islamic Republic News Agency said.

According to IRNA, the British sailors and marines spoke a few words and phrases of Farsi that they had learned during their 13 days in captivity, thanking the Iranian leadership for releasing them.

The release of the British sailors and Marines came after a Wednesday surprise announcement by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who called his decision an Easter gift to the British people.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who said Wednesday that the Britons had been released, added that he bears "no ill will" toward the Iranian people following the 13-day standoff.

The breakthrough eased tensions that have been increasing steadily, raising fears of military conflict in the volatile region and prompting a spike in oil prices. It suggested that Iran's hard-line leadership had decided Tehran had demonstrated its strength in the standoff but did not want to push the crisis too far.

However, Iran did not get the main thing it sought a public apology for entering Iranian waters. Britain, which said its crew was in Iraqi waters when seized, insists it never offered a quid pro quo, either, instead relying on quiet diplomacy.

Three of the 15 British sailors thanked Ahmadinejad for freeing them in brief interviews broadcast late Wednesday on Iran's state IRIB 2 television channel.

Lt. Felix Carman was the first to speak of the three, shown seated on a couch. "I can understand why you're insulted by the intrusion into the waters," Carman said. "I'd like to see that no harm is done to the Iranian people and its territories whatsoever and I hope that this experience will help to build the relationship between our countries."

Leading Seaman Faye Turney said they were treated well but that "it would be nice to get back, get home and see my family," and added that she wanted to "apologize for our actions, but many thanks for having it in your hearts to let us go free."

Iran's official news agency said the British crew was to leave Iran by plane on Thursday at 8 a.m. However, by Wednesday evening they had still not been handed over to the British Embassy in Tehran and the embassy said it was not clear where they would spend the night. A spokesman for Blair would only say "the process is under way."

Iranian state television showed the 14 men and one woman meeting with Ahmadinejad outside the presidential palace following his announcement at a news conference that they were being freed. The crew members were seized while on patrol in the northern Persian Gulf on March 23, would leave Iran on Thursday.

At the news conference, Ahmadinejad pinned a medal on the chest of the Iranian coast guard commander who intercepted the sailors and marines, then made the dramatic announcement.

"On the occasion of the birthday of the great prophet (Muhammad) ... and for the occasion of the passing of Christ, I say the Islamic Republic government and the Iranian people — with all powers and legal right to put the soldiers on trial — forgave those 15," he said, referring to the Muslim prophet's birthday on March 30 and the Easter holiday.

"This pardon is a gift to the British people," he said.

The release "was Iran's way of taking control of the crisis and an effort to make the point that they were taking the high ground," says CBS News foreign affairs analyst Pamela Falk. But first, Ahmadinejad delivered "a speech that was a recitation of Iran's case against the West, including U.S. and British support for Saddam Hussein against Iran, his criticism of the U.N. Security Council and Iran's right to have peaceful nuclear programs."

The standoff between London and Tehran began when the crew was seized as it searched for smugglers off the Iraqi coast.

U.S. Navy officers privately call the performance of the British Navy a disgrace, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.

Simon Henderson of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy criticized the British Navy's actions during the capture and also the conduct of the sailors in captivity.

"They didn't appear to have any particular military discipline while under arrest," Henderson said.

Britain denied Iranian claims the crew had entered Iranian waters.

"I'm glad that our 15 service personnel have been released, and I know their release will come as a relief not just to them but to their families," Blair said outside his No. 10 Downing St. office. "Throughout, we have taken a measured approach, firm but calm, not negotiating but not confronting, either."

Blair added, "To the Iranian people, I would simply say this: We bear you no ill will."

The White House said President Bush welcomed the Iranian statement on the planned hostage release, and that the U.S. is closely monitoring the unfolding developments in Tehran, reports CBS News correspondent Peter Maer.

However, Martin doesn't think the release will have much impact on U.S.-Iranian relations.

"The U.S. still is insisting that Iran has to give up its nuclear enrichment program, and the U.S. is still complaining that Iran is meddling in Iraq, and specifically, meddling in a way that results in the deaths of U.S. soldiers," Martin says.

Vice President Dick Cheney told ABC News the case was "one of those events that should not have happened."

"I think the Iranians were wrong to capture the sailors, and it's good now that they have been released," Cheney said. He said he did not know of any quid pro quo deals in the Britons' case, adding that it was important not to reward "that kind of behavior."

[nothappyatall]

"He pardoned the sailors and announced their release minutes after he gave medals of honor to the Iranian coast guards who intercepted the sailors and marines, saying Iran will never accept trespassing of its territorial waters."

LOL, he pins Mickey Mouse medals on them for their "bravery" in the face of dANgeROUs confrontation!!
Their moms would be soooo proud of their boys!

[pipeslanga89]

I wish our President would take a serious look at having trespassers cross our borders. Like this guy or not, he isnt intimidated by the big bad George.

[guyfrompa]

I hope you all can see what this Maniac is up to. He's trying to look like the good guy when in fact he's duping the rest of the world.

[tuckerndfw]

I wonder how many extra millions Bush (ExxonMobil), Blair (British Petroleum) and Ahmadinejab (Iran's oil exports) and their cronies made during this dog and pony show?

The price of a barrel of oil rose about $1 during the course of this manufactured (non) event.

[pipeslanga89]

he's by far a good guy, but do you think the imperialistic govt of the US and Britain are better?

[bluestardad]

SOMEONE SHOULD TELL THE PRESIDENT THAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS CAN BE MADE BY DIPLOMACY!

[shingles1]

"IRAN = 2 WESTERN WORLD = 0
Posted by FARTKNOCKER2"

?

I guess bombing the heck out of them would have evened things up, eh?

One quick point; the power of an Iranian President is not the same as the power of an American President. The real power lies with the clerics who, I'm guessing, pressured Ahmadinejad to resolve this crisis and to resolve it quickly.

[kgills7]

I know Bush hates that this was resolved without escalation or violence. He can't use this as a reason to invade Iran.

[nolalou]

I'm glad this current situation with the 15 hostagaes is about to end with thier release, but we will still have to deal with the regime in Iran in the future.

From articles I've read, apparently Ahmadinejad is not all that popualr in Iran right now, especialy with younger iranians. (I read that after 9/11 hundreds of Iranian college students held candelight vigils in Tehran and were roughed up by goverment hardliners). It may be this situation was orcistrated in part to boost his popularity.

[jwhitmann]

The Western world needs to tell the Arab/Islamic world that: "If they don't stop with the terrorism and the provocations, Mecca will cease to exist"

And then follow through.

Problem solved

[pipeslanga89]

I bet Bush will com out with a arrogant statement and not one of thanks and friendship....

[cathaleen]

I am very happy for the british soldiers and their family. Our money couldn't have been better spent. You know this cost the US a few big ones.

[extremophil]

Oh thank God for the Iranians.....They are suuuuch nice people and didn't hurt those bad ol' British Sailors. Why can't we allll be like them????? Praise be ALLAHALALALALALALALALAL!!

[shingles1]

"The Western world needs to tell the Arab/Islamic world that: "If they don't stop with the terrorism and the provocations, Mecca will cease to exist"
And then follow through.
Problem solved
Posted by jwhitmann"

Um, jwhitmann, how exactly would flattening Mecca solve the problem?

Maybe you can clarify.

[perimogi]

I am so touched by Ahmadinejad's kindness, oh what a kind, gentle, loving man whose total goal in life is to show all how he would not kill a fly. Not sure if this will counter-act his stated goal to blow Israel off the map. Rosie, what do you think, since you feel we are the problem?

[gangesdak]

The Brits were pushing the envelope by coming very close to the water line and perhaps encroaching it. US is no saint either. Just prior to the Shah of Iran, CIA dislodged the Iran government in the 50s led by Mosadeq by creating a lot of political problems in Iran. Iran has reasons to be weary of both Brit and US. Why create undue trouble with others! Be friends and be happy.

[dphaffner]

Why stop at mecca ? kill all the mohammedan's. They want to kill all the Christians and Jews.

[myempire1]

This act shows that Iran is not overtly terrible Country as many American think of.Iran president do a very beautiful job.

[ramos937]

During the height of the Cold War, we negotiated with the USSR on various items of mutual interest and actually made headway on a number of issues. We also did the same thing with China. Both were dedicated towards destroying our system of government. Yet, we talked to them and some good came out of that.

Contrast the above with the attitude of the Administration towards Iran and Syria. Granted that both are not saints but nor are we. Bush refuses to even talk to them. If we had years ago, we might just have resolved the Iraq war by now. Speaker Peloski is doing the right thing by showing these countries that the next President will remedy this.

[notblue]

jh6379, LOL, you are either an Iranian operative or the epidemy if naivity, what a hoot! Ahmadinijhad a "decent guy". This whole thing was just another Iranian ploy to divert attention away from there illegal nuclear ambitions. Ahmadinijhad is not to be trusted under any circumstances, he is radical that has caused unrest in the world since the hostage takings in the 1970's and will continue to be a MAJOR obstacle to peace in the middle east and the greater civilized world.

[dblbar]

I hope you all can see what this Maniac is up to. He's trying to look like the good guy when in fact he's duping the rest of the world.
Posted by GuyfromPA at 09:42 AM : Apr 04, 2007


My God....sounds just like someone else we all know and love, doesn't it.....

At least they're releasing them and not beheading them on television, and/or holding them in some "secret" prison somewhere..

[tejasdemo]

Diplomacy does work. If Republicans were handling this the hostages would all have been killed and we would be at war with Iran. Death would be everywhere and gas prices would be 6 bucks a gallon.

Hmmm. Sounds similiar to this idiotic thing we did in Iraq a few years ago.....Wait, it's still going on.

[notblue]

dblbar, if beheading them would have served a greater purpose than releasing them they would have been beheaded, that's how it is with the radical countries and terrorist groups which Iran supports and enables. When you compare America and it's provided reedoms with a country like Iran your ignorance and hate for America speaks volumes.

[dallasmsl]

Good on Iran for ending this fiasco. They've taken the high road.

They've taken the road of peace - Republicans must be really upset by that.

[gkc99]

Curious George Bushit has announced that the US can seize anyone, anywhere, anytime, for any reason he thinks fit, and keep them in a secret prison forever with access to legal counsel or a trial. Bushit says they can be tortured just because he says so. Bushit says Congress has no power because he is supreme dictator.

So why would there be different rules for the Iranians?

[elgraz]

Good show for Persia's President and a very wise decision. He would have been bombed back to the days of the Greek Spartan slaughter by the Persians.Too bad. Although, I am very happy for those young Brit sailors. Hope they and their loved ones have a very Happy Easter.

[dphaffner]

Why are there so many ignorant people in the U.S?
The mohammedan's are wanting to kill all of us. They teach this from birth. It is writen in their holly book, the koran. Get and read the five pillars of Islam. It starts out telling them to kill all Christians and Jews. How in the hell can you talk with people like this. They don't want to talk.They just want to do away with us and our way of life.. Think about it. Please, before you say how good they are.

[dphaffner]

Why are there so many ignorant people in the U.S?
The mohammedan's are wanting to kill all of us. They teach this from birth. It is writen in their holly book, the koran. Get and read the five pillars of Islam. It starts out telling them to kill all Christians and Jews. How in the hell can you talk with people like this. They don't want to talk.They just want to do away with us and our way of life.. Think about it. Please, before you say how good they are.

[clestes-2009]

Hot ***!! I knew it. What a relief!

[guyfrompa]

Come on you people need to wake up. This guy is making you think he has a conscience. He would kill us all in a split second. OPEN YOUR EYES!

[rf35]

Well, how magnanimous of President Ahmadinejad! Now we know Iran is a peaceful, freedom-loving nation with nothing but good feelings toward the Western world (sarcasm).

You can bet there%u2019s more to this than meets the eye. They are probably buttering up Britain to try and keep them out of any UN/US coalition actions that might occur in the future as they proceed with their nuclear weapons program. After all, their stated purpose in life is to kill all infidels.

[Syndicate]

The Iranians decided to end their embarrasment as soon as possible. I love the way the White House calls the Brittish sailors hostages. I wonder are we releasing the Iranians we are hoilding or are we goining to keep them? I think we should try them for murder if the evidance supports the charges.

gkc99: Because our guns are bigger and better.

Myempire1: Your name says it all.

[Syndicate]

dphaffner: I think the musslims should change their ways or we should open camps with large ovens in the Middle East. Frankly I'm tired of their bullshiit and the best solution appears to be to just wipe them out. I also think if more people said things like this it might just make them change without us actually having to kill all of them.

[dphaffner]

Please don't call the British Brits.They don't like it. They are British. Unlike the frogs of Franch. They will stand up for their rights,and ours....

[gsm1565]

dphaffner... what are you talking about? There is nothing in the Quran about justifiably killing anyone. That is only the way that you interpret it. And being that it is highly unlikely that you can read arabic, I'm willing to bet you CAN'T interpret it for yourself and must rely on someone else's translation.

Now, to the topic. I feel that this is a way for Ahmadinejad to appear benevolent and compassionate to the rest of the world. I strongly believe that the is a facade that he is playing to his advantage. I also believe that the soldiers who were in captivity were forced to believe that they were captured in Iranian waters. If I were under the captivity of another military, I would agree with anything that they told me as well. You would be toying with your life to dissent. Being that the timing of this situation was much in Iran's favor, I think that this will have adverse effects on nuclear negotiations. Iran will hold this over our heads in front of the rest of the world and continue to say that they were the benevolent souls in this situation and why can't we act the same regarding their nuclear situation. It will get interesting from here.

[irishbitch1]

Diplomacy works! I am not saying that the lunatic from Iran is a good guy or anything like that.Force is not the only answer, diplomacy does work if you truly want a peaceful resolution to a problem and the Brits just proved it.

[clestes-2009]

Unbelievable, a major catrastophy is averted and there are still people who think that is a bad thing??

I really do not understand how anyone can think that releasing these sailors instead of killing them or forcing a military raid that would no doubt escalate into another middle east war that could escalate still further into an even bigger war, is a bad thing.

You people are stupid. Avoiding war is NEVER A BAD THING. If you doubt that, take a good look at Iraq.

650,000 civilians dead
3150 US soldiers dead
500 billion dollars spent
no money for:
healthcare
education
environment

The list could go on and on. Stop playing war games and GROW UP.

[dphaffner]

At least cbscrash07 has it togather. I agree with you and if the good people of the U.S. and the rest of the world would just read a little. They would also.

[huskerarmy]

"Why are there so many ignorant people in the U.S? The mohammedan's are wanting to kill all of us. They teach this from birth. It is writen in their holly book, the koran."

"If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant, And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them... Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die."
-- Deuteronomy, Chapter 17:2-3,5

God had "hardened the hearts" of the Canaanites, so that all but one city attempted to fight the Hebrews in battle. The sole exception were the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon. "As the LORD commanded Moses", all of the rest were defeated in battle; their cities and populations were destroyed. This included people of all ages: men, women children, infants and newborns.
-- Joshua 11:19-23

[sk_w]

Just my thoughts...but I think the British marines really were in Iranian waters. With all the international attention on their nuclear program, the last thing Iran would have wanted to do would be to go outside of its own territories and arrest marines from another country.

I wonder if the British sailors entering their waters really were 'pawns', being used to show one more reason we should attack Iran...

It'll be interesting to hear what these marines have to say when they return...

[clestes-2009]

Of course there is more going on than meets the eye. We may not know all the details for years. But my point is, a military conflict has been averted, at least for now. That is something to celebrate this Easter

[huskerarmy]

"We may not know all the details for years." I don't believe we will ever know if the British were actually in Iranian waters. It will forever be a he said, she said situation. Of course there will be those who think in terms of absolutes, e.g. - Rush Limbaugh, who will absolutely know that the British were absolutely not in Iranian waters, by mistake or otherwise, and will think and act accordingly.

[fr45444]

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is tiny! He has a lot to say for such a little guy.
Get the British home and then bomb his military back to the stone age. If the world allows him to get a nuclear bomb in the next few years he will hold the world to ransom just like he has done with these sailors.

[houchin21]

we should all know that iran made them say that they were traspassing, ahmadinejad is noting but trouble, he let them go because he knew that the united states would have something to say about it

[huskerarmy]

"we should all know that iran made them say that they were traspassing..."
And we on the other hand absolutely know that they weren't tresspassing because that's what we know and we know that we know it....

[joanpz]

Thank a generous God that Ahmadinejad was not the CRAZY PERSON described by the U.S. but a CALCULATING, RATIONAL PERSON recognizing NOTHING WOULD BE GAINED in KILLING THESE 15 NAVY BRITISH - just his "British-given" WEAPON to be used in DEFENSE of THREE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS & lots of AMERICAN JETS IN THE PERSIAN GULF! DIPLOMACY, not at the point of a gun, IS THE WEAPON OF CHOICE!

[dphaffner]

Hey Mr.GSM1565.No I don't read Arabic, but I do read english. and all my history books are in english. Read some of them yourself. Go back to the 5th and 6th century and read it for yourself.The begaining of Mohammedizum. Most of the middle east was Christian or Jew, until he came along with reglion by the sword. They have been killing Christians and jews for 1500 years. Why would they stop now ? I lived and worked in the middle east for many years. I think I know a little more than the average bear. And hey. The KORAN was writen in the 50s. And from whatI read in english is really not understandable to most. including you.

[mightbright]

Well, being Iranian, I can tell you that Iranian president is too chicken to do anything. He just wants attention and tries to scare people, but reality is that he will not do anything. As for nuclear power, Iranian oil will end in a few years so they would not have any other way to generate power for their people. do you think US or Britian will step in to help Iran with its problems. I dont think so.

[j-whitman]

vbnvbn,,
, Do you even know any Brits ???? My cousins have lived there for over 20 years.. They would much rather be called Brits than Americans... They are proud to be Brits & Limeys.

[clestes-2009]

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has just made Bush and Blair look like the pair of fools they are.

Think about it. B&B make up an excuse (WMD) to invade a country that is no threat. They get their respective countries completely tangled in a war that was hopeless from the start. They lie and continue to lie for years, making themselves look even worse.

Then the British get caught meddling in Iranian waters! (I am sure they were where they should not have been). President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad must have laughed out loud when he was told about the capture.

He does the smart thing. He makes Britian and the US squirm like worms on a hook in the international eye and then graciously releases the sailors with the question of why is a mother separated from her child. (Nice touch!)

I am just glad it is over, but I can't help wishing that B&B were a little less foolish!

They are awfully embarressing.