AFP: Nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz will sail Monday to support US operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US Navy said, amid a spike in tensions over Iran’s seizure of 15 British marines and sailors.

AFP: The EU agreed on Friday to call for the immediate release of the 15 British navy personnel being held in Iran, saying their detention was a breach of international law, EU sources said.

Reuters: An Iranian diplomatic note gives no sign that Tehran is seeking a resolution to the detention of 15 British navy personnel seized in the Gulf, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said on Friday.

Iran Focus: London, Mar. 30 – Iran’s state television on Friday broadcasted new footage of British sailors allegedly “confessing” to entering Iranian waters “illegally”. The 14 British men and one woman have been in Iranian custody for over a week. The following are some still shots from the television broadcast:

Iran Focus: London, Mar. 30 – The following is the text of a letter from Iran’s Foreign Ministry to the British ambassador in Tehran regarding the recent arrest of 15 British sailors and marines on the Iran-Iraq waterway. The United Nations Security Council expressed “grave concern” on Thursday at the group’s continued detention. The text of the letter was published by the official news agency IRNA on Friday.

AP: One of the 15 British service members held captive in Iran appeared Friday on the government’s Arabic-language TV and said he apologized “deeply” for entering Iranian waters without permission.

Iran Focus: London, Mar. 30 – The following is the text of a third letter allegedly written by Faye Turney, one of 15 British sailors capture by Iran and being held at an undisclosed location. The letter, which is addressed to the British people, was released to the media by Iranian officials on Friday.