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Original poster

Britons kidnapped in Iran

32 replies

Rhubarb · 23/03/2007 23:06

A couple of questions;

What were they doing in Iran?

And why, when all us war protestors were predicting that Iran would be next, is Iran now top of the USA's most wanted list? Are people really that guillible?

OP posts:
JanH · 23/03/2007 23:09

Do you mean these, rhuby?

Original poster
Rhubarb · 23/03/2007 23:10

Yup, they were fully in Iranian waters and they were what? Delivering cars? Sure they were!

OP posts:
JanH · 23/03/2007 23:11

Were they in Iranian water? NOt clear from report.

CadburyCremeSquonk · 23/03/2007 23:14

Apparently, they were patrolling the waters between Iraq and Iran. In Iraqi waters (although we would say that wouldn't we)

They went to investigate a ship carrying cars and from there were kidnapped.

Anyway, does this matter? Don't we just want them home safe?

Original poster
Rhubarb · 23/03/2007 23:15

Yes but it is all suspicious. They say there were in Iraqian waters delivering cars. Sorry but that doesn't quite add up to me.

OP posts:
JanH · 23/03/2007 23:16

Not quite the same thing

Original poster
Rhubarb · 23/03/2007 23:18

Bigoted reporting.

Ever since Iraq was done, Iran have been shitting themselves, USA want them, and now this?

OP posts:
saltire · 23/03/2007 23:18

Were they not doing patrols and boarded the boat because they suspected it (the Iranian boat) of smuggling cars?

Original poster
Rhubarb · 23/03/2007 23:25

Oh right, still hardly crime of the century is it?

Oooooooooooh, look, they're not smuggling arms but we could get them for the Skodas!

OP posts:
Callisto · 24/03/2007 11:43

They were doing their job. I doubt very much if it is a conspiracy to declare war on Iran. It is very worrying for the men captured and their families which seems to have been missed on this thread.

saltire · 24/03/2007 12:08

I agree with you Callisto. Their families must be very worried, let's hope they get released soon.

littleEasterlapin · 24/03/2007 12:30

Rhubarb, I'm confused by your comments. Are you saying you don't believe the boarded vessel was delivering cars? Or that the Navy shouldn't have boarded them? Because the two seem contradictory.

From my understanding, the patrol (which is standard in those waters) went to investigate the ship - again, standard. They found nothing suspicious and were leaving the ship when they were surrounded by the Iranian Navy vessels, who took them and their boats.

There is a large strip of water that flows down from the border between Iran and Iraq which is disputed and it is thought the patrol may have been in this area.

When this happened before, the sailors and marines were returned unharmed but the equipment was kept .

One last thing, I know it's a free and open forum, la la la, but please bear in mind that some of us may have friends and relatives onboard HMS Cornwall.

saltire · 24/03/2007 12:48

little lapin, my first thought when i heard was "I wonder if any mumsnetters know anyone on board HMS Cornwall". I know your DH is Navy, so wondered if he knew anyone on board the ship.
I really hope they get set free soon

littleEasterlapin · 24/03/2007 13:13

I know a couple of people onboard but not the kidnapped ones. Horrendous for their families, but hopefully they will be safely returned as last time.

Original poster
Rhubarb · 24/03/2007 15:31

I understand your point and I was confused with the news story, I thought it was that the navy were taking cars to Iran, whereas it turned out that they Navy boarded a ship that was alledgedly taking cars to Iran and were kidnapped from there.

I hope I can make criticisms of the way Iran is viewed without offending families of those in the armed forces. I do not mean to undermine the work that they do, indeed many of them do not want to be there but have to be because that is their job.

My main point was that when USA and Britain invaded Iraq, there was a general fear amongst anti-war protestors that Iran would be next. Since then I have heard news coverages that USA declare Iran to be involved in terrorism and that it is looking into sending armed forces into the country. Naturally the Iranian government is very fearful of being torn apart as Iraq was and I am wondering if this was part of the reason the Britons have been kidnapped. I also think that Iran is under surveillance and these soldiers were perhaps 'spying' too?

OP posts:
CadburyCremeSquonk · 24/03/2007 15:36

So, what are you saying, Rhubarb? That they haven't been kidnapped, it's a ruse to get them into Iran to have a good nosey around? Or that Iran have kidnapped them in the hope that this will stop America invading Iran?

saltire · 24/03/2007 15:42

As far as I know Britain isn't at war with Iran, and whilst it does condem it's nuclear programme, it hasn't come out and said it will send troops there, so they shouldn't have kidnapped, at gunppoint those sailors and marines. It could be seen as aggressive action. As far as I'm aware the Navy were doing what they have been doing for years - checking for smuggling. The Iranians say they were in iranian water, the Navy say they weren't. If they were going to put British troops into a country to spy then they wouldn't use ordinary sailors (no offcence to any Navy personnel by the word ordinary), they would use special forces.

Original poster
Rhubarb · 24/03/2007 15:43

No Cadbury, I'm just admitting that it leaves me with questions.

Britain is not at war with Iran no, but as this country is seen very closely tied in with America, you can imagine them thinking that the message would get through all the same.

I'm not infering this is the case or anything like that. I'm just asking questions. Is that ok?

OP posts:
Original poster
Rhubarb · 24/03/2007 15:46

And the general reason why people are kidnapped is to highlight a cause. They obviously want to stir up a debate and it is working. I just hope the debate isn't stifled because people are too scared of saying the wrong things.

I am anti-war, always have been and always will be. Instead of condemning Iran outright I would prefer to look at the reasons why they have done this and I question the reporting, I don't take anything as fact.

OP posts:
CadburyCremeSquonk · 24/03/2007 15:47

Of course it's ok. I wasn't having a go, I was just curious about exactly what point you were making. Sorry if I sounded confrontational

I think that Saltire has a point about sending special forces personnel for a spying mission.

As I said on an earlier post, at the moment, we should just be concentrating on getting the boys (and girls) home safely

Original poster
Rhubarb · 24/03/2007 15:48

Yes, I hope they are returned too, it must be very very frightening. But it does raise questions, for me anyway.

OP posts:
littleEasterlapin · 24/03/2007 16:49

Rhubs, you're saying that they were taken possibly because the Iranians thought they were spying, not fake-kidnapped in order to get them into Tehran, right?

As to why they were there, it is the misfortune of geography! The Navy still patrols to check that ships aren't smuggling or laying mines, and that is in the context of Iraq - but because there is this disputed area of territorial waters, Iran reckons they were, effectively, trespassing.

And of course you can discuss your views on Iraq and Iran! I was just saying in case someone started slagging off the Navy/the sailors (and I'm not saying you were doing that at all )

ruty · 24/03/2007 17:02

this has happened before. Last time the men were well treated and it was not too long before their release was negotiated. Iran are not happy about Iraq's occupation. They are going to be jumpy about their borders and waters. I just hope neither govts balls it up this time.

littleEasterlapin · 24/03/2007 17:06

yep ruty, and they kept the boats and equipment last time ... fingers crossed they are all being well looked after. It wouldn't benefit Iran in any way to hurt them.

saltire · 24/03/2007 17:09

I don't think the government of this country would want to start military action against Iran, at least i sincerely hope they don't.. What worries me is if "other" countries who are our allies decided they are going to "help" and then start a campaign.