Webloggin » Iran To Release British Hostages

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad held a press conference this morning where he announced that Iran would “pardon” the British Naval personnel and return them to their home country. Ahmadinejad took the opportunity to repeat their allegations that the Brits invaded Iranian waters and deride the British government for “occupying the other countries”. He specifically chastised Prime Minister Tony Blair for working for himself as opposed to the British people.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says 15 British naval personnel captured in the Gulf will be freed.

He repeated allegations that the British sailors and marines “invaded” Iranian waters, but said they would be freed as a “gift” to Britain.

He made the announcement at a news conference, in which he also awarded medals to the commanders who captured the British personnel in the Gulf.

He said the Britons would be released immediately and taken to an airport.

“They are free after this meeting and can go back to their families,” Mr Ahmadinejad said.

“I’m asking Mr Blair to not put these 15 personnel on trial because they admitted they came to Iranian territorial water,” he said, referring to taped “confessions” made by the British sailors and marines.

“I ask Mr Blair: Instead of occupying the other countries, I ask Mr Blair to think about the justice, to think about the truth and work for the British people not for himself.”

Britain says the 15 were in Iraqi waters under a UN mandate when they were captured nearly two weeks ago. It says the confessions were extracted under duress.

“Unfortunately the British government was not even brave enough to tell their people the truth, that it made a mistake,” Mr Ahmadinejad said.

“We have every right to put these people on trial,” he asserted.

“But I want to give them as a present to the British people to say they are all free.”

A spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair said: “We welcome what the president has said about the release of our 15 personnel. We are now establishing exactly what this means in terms of the method and timing of their release.” - BBC

This is what the BBC thought would
be important to emphasize.

It is interesting to note that the BBC emphasized Ahmadinejad’s claims that the Blair government had lied to the British people. They can’t even get behind their own navy personnel in the face of a known liar and deceiver. Sad.

The British government is reserved for the most part taking a wait and see attitude. They did confirm that they have been working on diplomatic efforts for days.

As with everything Ahmadinejad there is a catch of course. Britain must admit its military personnel intruded into Iranian territorial waters and “guarantee this violation would not be committed again.” according to Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security council.

On Tuesday Blair described the next two days as being “fairly critical” in an interview with a Scottish radio station and welcomed comments by Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security, that Iran saw “no need” to put the 15 on trial.

“The most important thing is to get these people back,” Blair told Glasgow-based Real Radio.

Larijani also told Iranian state TV on Tuesday that the two countries’ foreign ministries had held talks about the standoff for the first time. (Watch how tempers have cooled in diplomatic dispute Video)

But Larijani told Britain’s Channel 4 television that Britain must admit its military personnel intruded into Iranian territorial waters and “guarantee this violation would not be committed again.” - CNN

Positive news related to the announcement is that oil prices are dropping as a result. This demonstrates that Iran can affect our economy and emphasizes a tactic that Ahmadinejad employs often as he knows his actions can manipulate prices.

Wizbang also notes that the left is buying into Ahmadinejad’s rhetoric hook line and sinker. What a surprise.