British Hostages Speak - The Reality behind the Show from Iran's President

The cloud has been lifted and now we begin to hear the truth. Blair's triumph in diplomacy was nonexistent. The reality is this was a carefully planned and executed capture and release by Iran's President, and Blair played right into his hand. The British Sailors and Marines made the statement the Iranians so proudly aired on TV under duress, while facing at best a 7 year prison sentence. Lt Carman said they were given two choices.
"If we admitted we had strayed, we would be on a plane back to the UK soon. If we didn't we faced up to seven years in prison".

The only woman in the group, Leading Seaman Faye Turney, believed for at least four days that she was the only one still being held. Royal Marine Joe Tindell told how they feared for their lives in prison. "We had a blindfold and plastic cuffs, hands behind our backs, heads against the wall. Basically there were weapons cocking. Someone, I'm not sure who, said, I quote ' lads I think we're going to get executed'."

Lt Carman said they were only allowed to gather together for a few hours to put on a show for the Iranian media. He continued to describe their position and circumstances at the time of capture. Royal Marine Captain Chris Air said they had seconds to make a decision when confronted by the Iranians while carrying out a routine operation. "We are aware that many people have questioned why we allowed ourselves to be taken in the first place and why we allowed ourselves to be shown by the Iranian authorities on television. Let me be absolutely clear, from the outset it was very apparent that fighting back was simply not an option. Had we chosen to do so then many of us would not be standing here today. Of that I have no doubts".
Two of the crew read out a prepared statement to the press conference at the Royal Marines Barracks at Chivenor. Lieutenant Carman said the sailors and marines were on an operation on 23 March, 1.7 nautical miles from Iranian waters, when they were captured.

Cpt Chris Air said the crew had made it clear they were on a "routine operation allowed under a UN mandate" but the Iranians had a "planned intent. Some of the Iranian sailors were becoming deliberately aggressive and unstable." Their boat was surrounded by six boats and rammed and they were trained with heavy machine guns and weapons. The officer in charge Lt Carman said they were taken to a prison in Tehran where they were stripped and dressed in pyjamas.
They were kept in stone cells, sleeping on blankets and held in isolation until the last few nights and frequently interrogated.

Is it any surprise that they said exactly what they were told to by Iran? I believe they did the right thing, and got home safely because of it. Britain however did not. A strong military action was called for, however Blair chose to write a note instead. The Iranian President's PR ploy, despite the callous and calculated planning that obviously went into it, was transparent. The result of this is more complicated. Britain came away from the situation looking pathetic and weak. That in itself comes with consequences. What is preventing this situation, or worse from occurring again repeatedly in the future? The terrorists and countries that support them will not stop unless they are forced to, or the consequences are far greater than the "benefits" of their action.