The truth about the Iranian hostage crisis

[tlr online]

Royal Navy personnel seized by Iran were blindfolded, bound and held in isolation during their 13 days in captivity, the crew have said. They were lined up while weapons were cocked, making them "fear the worst", one of the 15 freed sailors revealed.

The crew were told that if they did not admit they were in Iranian waters when captured that they faced seven years in prison, a press conference heard. Opposing their captors was "not an option," they said.

And after the 15 marines and sailors were seized they were subjected to random interrogation and rough handling, and faced constant psychological pressure, they said. The navy has already begun a review of the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Royal Marine Captain Chris Air, 25, from Altrincham, Cheshire, said they had seconds to make a decision when confronted by the Iranians while carrying out a routine operation.

"We are aware that many people have questioned why we allowed ourselves to be taken in the first place and why we allowed ourselves to be shown by the Iranian authorities on television. Let me be absolutely clear, from the outset it was very apparent that fighting back was simply not an option.

"Had we chosen to do so then many of us would not be standing here today. Of that I have no doubts". Had they resisted there would have been a fight they could not have won, he said. "Fighting back would have caused a major international incident and an escalation of tension within the region," he said.

FULL INTERVIEW ON BBC

If anything, I think this proves that whoever is running Iran is a outright liar, to say that our soldiers were fairly and humanely treated. And the whole world saw for themselves as their President show-boated on TV.

[SamReeves]

All the more reason to end their nuke ambitions now, and not later.

[Paul H]

Originally Posted by tlr online

And after the 15 marines and sailors were seized they were subjected to random interrogation and rough handling, and faced constant psychological pressure, they said.

Hardly Abu Ghraib, is it? Let's remember that Blair continues to support Guantanamo Bay and the CIA torture flights.

[Forwen]

Sorry, at this moment I can't believe it. Just as I didn't give a **** about Iranians' stories of kittens and chocolate.

[Paul H]

Originally Posted by Forwen

Sorry, at this moment I can't believe it. Just as I didn't give a **** about Iranians' stories of kittens and chocolate.

Same here.

If they had given this press conference as soon as they arrived back in Britain, it would have been worth listening to. But after they were predictably whisked away to be briefed about what to say, I found it embarrassing to watch them reading from those scripts.

Last week they said exactly what the Iranian authorities told them to say, and now they are saying exactly what the British authorities told them to say. It’s no less farcical now than it was last week.

[Catapharact]

Originally Posted by SamReeves

All the more reason to end their nuke ambitions now, and not later.

See there ya go assuming that the Uranium enrichment process will only lead to the creation of Nukes. The only reason why people of Iran are standing by their president for the time being is the blatent disregard for the country's right to Nuclear power.

Iran isn't gonna become a Nuclear threat; The people won't allow it. Turning them into the new "Iraq type" face of rouge state poster child will only provoke Iranians to support their leader more.

[Eddie Haskell]

Originally Posted by Catapharact

See there ya go assuming that the Uranium enrichment process will only lead to the creation of Nukes. The only reason why people of Iran are standing by their president for the time being is the blatent disregard for the country's right to Nuclear power.

Iran isn't gonna become a Nuclear threat; The people won't allow it. Turning them into the new "Iraq type" face of rouge state poster child will only provoke Iranians to support their leader more.

That's precisely right. However, one can never be sure of the Iranian leaderships intentions, so we must find a way to guarantee that they will never get nuclear weapons. However that's eventually achieved.

[tlr online]

Originally Posted by Paul H

Hardly Abu Ghraib, is it? Let's remember that Blair continues to support Guantanamo Bay and the CIA torture flights.

Good point, and I'm more than critical of Blair/Bush.

[Draco]

Originally Posted by Eddie Haskell

That's precisely right. However, one can never be sure of the Iranian leaderships intentions, so we must find a way to guarantee that they will never get nuclear weapons. However that's eventually achieved.

How about we keep the nukes out of dangerous hands instead?

[taika]

Originally Posted by Paul H

Same here.

If they had given this press conference as soon as they arrived back in Britain, it would have been worth listening to. But after they were predictably whisked away to be briefed about what to say, I found it embarrassing to watch them reading from those scripts.

Last week they said exactly what the Iranian authorities told them to say, and now they are saying exactly what the British authorities told them to say. It’s no less farcical now than it was last week.

completely agree.