Reuters: The United States backed Britain’s demand for the immediate release of 15 British Royal Navy personnel seized by Iranian forces on Friday.

New York Times: Problems increased for the French oil company Total on Thursday when Christophe de Margerie, the chief executive, was put under formal investigation by French authorities, who are looking into allegations that the company paid kickbacks to win a gas contract in Iran during the late 1990s.

Bloomberg: Crude oil in New York jumped above $62 a barrel after Iran seized 15 British naval personnel, heightening the prospect of conflict involving OPEC’s second- biggest producer.

Iran Focus: London, Mar. 23 – Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on Friday that 15 of its sailors and marines had been seized by Iranian military forces in the Persian Gulf.

Reuters: The White House said on Friday visas for Iran’s president and other diplomats to visit the United States had been approved, disputing Iran’s claim that the entry documents had not been approved.

Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Mar. 23 – Iran launched week-long war-games on Thursday on its southern shores, state television reported.