Iran insisted Wednesday that the detention of 15 British marines and sailors took place last Friday after they had illegally entered Iranian territorial waters in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. "Iran has already provided the geographical coordinates of the detention to the British government and has sufficient evidence, including GPS navigator systems, to indicate the penetration of British military personnel 0.5 km deep into Iranian waters," the embassy in London said.
"Violation of international border and their intrusive act justified their detention," it said, according to IRNA.
On his part, Britain's deputy chief of defence staff, Vice Admiral Charles Style presented different British coordinates to claim that the British naval personnel were arrested 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi waters.
The Iranian Embassy said that the two governments have been closely examining and discussing the case on a daily basis due to "its sensitive security aspects." "We are confident that Iranian and British governments are capable of resolving this security case through their close contacts and cooperation in which would prevent the reoccurrence of such incidents in the area," it said.
The statement also reassured that as the investigation continued "all British marines and sailors are in good health and condition and they enjoy welfare and Iranian hospitality."
"We understand the anxiety of their families, but they must be assured that they are in safe hands and have a better life than the risky mission in the Persian Gulf waters," it said.
The embassy also added that the legal and technical issue had "no links to any other issues" and warned that unfounded speculation and provocative rhetoric can only be "counterproductive."
Later, Iran's Al Alam TV aired a video that shows the British captives "confess" their illegal entrance into Iranian territorial waters. In the video, British marine Mrs. Faye Turney from F99 Royal Navy admitted entry into Iranian territorial waters and apologized for doing so.
Turney, who is going to be freed soon, said that Iranian coast guards treated them friendly and with hospitality.
