AFP: Iran has formally protested at what it called a “British shootout” around its consulate in the Iraqi city of Basra, amid a standoff over Tehran’s seizure of 15 Britons, local media reported on Sunday.
Royal supports sanctions to win release of British ‘hostages’
AFP: French Socialist presidential candidate Segolene Royal on Sunday said Europe should slap sanctions on Iran if it continues to detain 15 British sailors, describing them as “hostages”.
Pakistan urges Iran to release British sailors
AFP: A senior Pakistani lawmaker has called on Iran to free 15 British sailors and marines as a “humanitarian gesture,” saying they should not be blamed for the policies of their government.
Two Britons “confess” on Iranian TV
Reuters: Iranian television on Sunday showed pictures of two of the 15 British sailors and marines held in Iran, the men saying they were captured after entering Iranian waters.
Protesters pelt UK embassy as Iran row worsens
Reuters: Iranian protesters hurled stones and big firecrackers at Britain’s embassy in Tehran on Sunday in a worsening crisis over 15 detained British naval personnel.
Ahmadinejad vows news soon on atomic work
Reuters: Iran’s president promised on Sunday Iranians would soon hear more news about the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, which the West believes is a covert effort to build atomic bombs despite Tehran’s denials.
The bottom line for Iran
Sunday Times – Leading Article: There is growing evidence that the kidnapping of 15 British sailors nine days ago was a premeditated act of aggression by Iran. It is almost certainly no coincidence that the hijacking in Iraqi waters occurred the day before the United Nations security council voted to tighten sanctions on Iran over its nuclear weapons programme.
Iran army chief warns of Israeli ‘suicide attack’
AFP: A top Iranian army official warned Arab states neighbouring Israel against a “Zionist suicide attack” in the summer, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Saturday.
Protest gathering in front of British embassy in Tehran
DPA: Hundreds of Iranian protestors gathered in front of the British embassy in Tehran on Sunday in protest against London’s stance in the row between Iran and Britain over the seizure of 15 British sailors.
Bush calls for Iran to free U.K. sailors
AP: President Bush on Saturday called for the release of 15 British sailors and marines being held by Iran, calling their capture by Tehran “inexcusable behavior.”
