15 British Royal Navy sailors seized by Iran.
Fifteen Royal Navy sailors have been seized by Iranian warships, the Ministry of Defence said today.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has summoned the Iranian ambassador in London to demand their immediate release, a spokesman said.
The incident happened in Iraqi territorial waters following a a routine inspection of a merchant ship off Iraq.
The MoD said the incident happened at around 10.30am local time.
''The boarding party had completed a successful inspection of a merchant ship when they and their two boats were surrounded and escorted by Iranian vessels into Iranian territorial waters,'' a spokesman said.
''We are urgently pursuing this matter with the Iranian authorities at the highest level and on the instructions of the Foreign Secretary, the Iranian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office.
''The British Government is demanding the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment.''
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