AP: The Bush administration accused Iran on Thursday of using hostage diplomacy to boost its status, turning up U.S. criticism after the release of 15 British sailors and marines.
U.S. says Iran uses hostage diplomacy
Iran official says Britons were freed after UK apology
Reuters: An adviser to Iran’s top authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Thursday Iran received a letter of apology from Britain before the release of 15 military personnel, state television reported.
U.S. could crack Iran air defense: Russian generals
Reuters: The United States would suffer losses if it attacked Iran but weight of numbers would ensure it eventually achieved air supremacy, Russian generals said on Thursday.
Blair suspects Iran’s hand in Iraq attacks
Guardian Unlimited: Tony Blair today warned that “elements of the Iranian regime” were arming insurgents in Iraq after it was confirmed four British troops were killed in Basra last night.
EU’s Solana, Iran negotiator in nuclear contact
Reuters: European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana discussed prospects for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program with Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani in a telephone call shortly before Iran freed 15 captured British navy personnel, an EU official said on Thursday.
Rice open to bilateral talks with Iran at meeting
Reuters: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is open to direct talks with Iran over its role in Iraq when she attends a meeting of Iraq’s neighbors and world powers, the State Department said on Thursday.
Statement by Blair on sailors’ release from Iran
Iran Focus: London, Apr. 05 – The following is the text of a statement on Wednesday by British Prime Minister Tony Blair on the release of 15 British marines and sailors who had been arrested by Iranian forces nearly two weeks ago:
Statement by Blair on sailors’ release from Iran
Iran Focus: London, Apr. 05 – The following is the text of a statement on Wednesday by British Prime Minister Tony Blair on the release of 15 British marines and sailors who had been arrested by Iranian forces nearly two weeks ago:
U.S. lets Red Cross see seized Iranians
Washington Post: The U.S. military has allowed the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit five Iranian officials who were detained in Iraq nearly three months ago on suspicion of plotting against American and Iraqi forces.
Tehran likely to pay long-term price
Washington Post: British officials expected an angry rant when they heard that Iran’s hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was going to give a news conference yesterday about the 15 British sailors and marines detained two weeks ago in the Persian Gulf.
