Sailors/Marines detained by Iran

Is it just me or did anyone else beleive that when these guys were first taken it was reported that

Quote "they were undertaking routine operations inside Iranian Territorial Waters"?

The reason I ask is because now its being reported thet they were in Iraqi Territorial Waters at the time.

I am some what confused about this story:

How did the Navy allow this to happen, I mean how did an armed team get captured during a routine patrol to inspect a vessel. What was the point in being armed in the first place unless your prepared to defend yourself.

How far away was HMS Cornwall at the time, could they not see what was going on, and did no-one notice an Iranian military vessel nearby.

It seems just to far fetched to me.

If we were in international waters,why didn't we protect ourselves??????

Originally Posted by DanDare

I am some what confused about this story:

How did the Navy allow this to happen, I mean how did an armed team get captured during a routine patrol to inspect a vessel. What was the point in being armed in the first place unless your prepared to defend yourself.

How far away was HMS Cornwall at the time, could they not see what was going on, and did no-one notice an Iranian military vessel nearby.

It seems just to far fetched to me.

If we were in international waters,why didn't we protect ourselves??????

Which tends to suggest that we were in their waters and their actions therefore undestandable

If we were in their waters, well then naughty naughty!

Originally Posted by DanDare

I am some what confused about this story:

How did the Navy allow this to happen, I mean how did an armed team get captured during a routine patrol to inspect a vessel. What was the point in being armed in the first place unless your prepared to defend yourself.

How far away was HMS Cornwall at the time, could they not see what was going on, and did no-one notice an Iranian military vessel nearby.

It seems just to far fetched to me.

If we were in international waters,why didn't we protect ourselves??????

It's possible that the Iranian & Iraqi water borders are close. Therefore it could of been in an area that has all 3 (inc. International waters).

Why didn't they defend themselves & refuse to go quietly? It could be because they knew they were innocent & didn't have authorisation to engage a "friendly" force.

Politics & media chinese whispers I fear.

Could be something more sinister, granted, we'll find out in 50 years time when it's declassified

just as likely our government manufacturing a situation to rack up the tension with Iran, the USA have already said that they will take unilateral action against Iran when the 60 day limit runs out for them to halt there nuclear energy programme, it wouldnt hurt there cause for iran to be seen as an aggressor against other foreign troops.

but remember, just because your paranoid it dont mean they aint out to getcha.........

Originally Posted by Captain Nemo

just as likely our government manufacturing a situation to rack up the tension with Iran, the USA have already said that they will take unilateral action against Iran when the 60 day limit runs out for them to halt there nuclear energy programme, it wouldnt hurt there cause for iran to be seen as an aggressor against other foreign troops.

but remember, just because your paranoid it dont mean they aint out to getcha.........

'zactly. Iran is on the hit list. Why not make them look bad?

If this is what's happened, all it takes is to send some troops where they should be on an "innocent" mission that looks bad, and bingo. The "enemy" behaves exactly as predicted.

Just more smoke & mirrors IMO.

Originally Posted by Tris

Is it just me or did anyone else beleive that when these guys were first taken it was reported that

Quote "they were undertaking routine operations inside Iranian Territorial Waters"?

The reason I ask is because now its being reported thet they were in Iraqi Territorial Waters at the time.

How do we know they are marines/sailors ? I havent heard any mention of names yet. Could be the SBS on a recce, also why would we want to start a war with Iran we arent winning the wars we are in now !

Originally Posted by stewie

How do we know they are marines/sailors ? I havent heard any mention of names yet. Could be the SBS on a recce, also why would we want to start a war with Iran we arent winning the wars we are in now !

Wars are always started YEARS before any official declaration.

On the news this morning it was said that they were in Iraqi waters, which, given the current state of play, we have full access to.

It could be (speculation here) that Iran have their own ide about their coastal limits (remember the old Chinese 50 mile limits ?) which are not Internationally recognised, hence the confusion.

At the end of the day, it will come down to the fact they are British troops, let them go or face the wrath of the SBS/SAS. However, I would guess that they have split them up, making a simple "discover & retrieval" operation a bit complicated.

.