It is so strange to see how Bush and Blair are blamed for everything, from hurricanes to the crazy Iranian kidnappings of the British soldiers. Bush and Blair seem to be the only leaders left who are willing to confront islamic terrorism. Seems that many people have been so blinded by thier hatred for America that they can not tell the difference anymore between whats good and whats evil... I saw what the bloodthirsty Muslim extremists did on 9/11. I saw the news footage that same day of people in Muslim countries dancing with joy ! We all see the ongoing violence, beheadings, mass child killings, suicide bombers targeting people shopping, working, just trying to raise thier families and have some peace.3 of our US soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq yesterday while they were handing out candy to Iraqi children. America has a long history of defending freedom. Fighting and dying for the freedom of other countries also.
Please read your history. America is not the enemy

zxtm, Ptlnd, USA

So sad, most of these comments. Unfortunately, you have to fight fire with fire. Most people don't understand the costs of freedom and costs for the "way of western life" on this blog. Just look at the posts from France and Iran, almost similiar. Sure, the US screws up more than anyone in the world and fights to protect her interests (like most countries morons), but I know no other nation that defends it allies, supports democracy and gives more than the US. The Iranian government is nothing more than a regime. Doesn't mean we have to go to war, but if I were President, I would have the 5th fleet grab an Iranian destroyer so support my good friend the UK. it would say, you take 15 Brits, we take your destroyer. You have a right and so do we. Does everyone know why there was never a nuclear way on this earth?? Mutual destruction. Apparently, the Iranian dont get that, they are kids playing an adult game.

Jackson, Atlanta, GA

I do not think that America should be blamed for Iran taking British prisoners. I think what Iran did was wrong, but that the reaction from Britain has not been as strong as it needs to be. Does anyone really believe that your sailors think they were trespassing, or that their captors are friendly? That is absurd propaganda Iran is putting into the mouths of your sailors. It is just as absurd to blame America for the actions of Iran. Point all the fingers you want, but if I were a British citizen I would be more concerned about getting our sailors back safely. Iran has taken, and is holding your people prisoner, and you are worried about casting blame. Stand up and get your sailors back. I think it a demand of their release and a deadline is in order. Iran has been pushing the limits for some time. Everyone seems content to let them do whatever they want. I know I wouldn't be.

Glenn, denver, usa

--f the UK fails to take action, you will end up looking like idiots and impotent to the international community. --

Got news for ya, Jimbo: the US and UK ALREADY look like impotent idiots, and with good reason. Sometimes, when you stick your foot in a bucket of cement and go off the deep end, there ain't much to be done. There's no more reputation to be defended.

J Marra, St. Louis, MO

pounding Iran into the ground will not be a good result for the long term stability of the region

nonetheless, the United States has far too many troops on the ground in the region to risk a measured response

in the end, for right or wrong, Bush will be blamed for all the problems of the region for decades to come

Bill, Los Angeles, California

We don't need to invade Iran, we don't need another war, we don't need to kill anybody. All we need is to bomb all their infrastructure and crops. Bomb all the factorys, all the power generation plants including the nuclear "facilities", bomb all bridges, bomb all highways, bomb all food processing places, bomb all markets, bomb all petrochemiquel plants, bomb all oil wells. Do that at night so even if there are victims they will be minimal. Also stop any money remitance from western countries to the middle east in general, so families and friends resident in the west will no be able to send a penny to the region. Then wait until estarvation sets in and the people run to the border to get OUT. The chock for them will come when they realise that, even if they manage to LEAVE they will find OUR borders closed. That day they will have to decide if they want "cannons or butter". They will have to choose between God and true democracy and between God and real economics.

Fabio C, London,

Let us imagine: British police arrest Pakistani born residents of the UK and charge them with planning terrorist bombings. In response, the Pakistani gov't kidnaps 15 British nationals and demands a trade.

Obviously, the Americans are at fault........

Bill, Seattle, WA, USA

All anyone has to do is look around the World and see it is radical Muslims causing havoc everywhere. The Brits and Americans aren't suicide bombing every day in Iraq, it's Sunnis and Shias.

MCD, Elmhurst, USA

I am an American who has never supported our going to Iraq. I for one wish my country would tell the rest of the world to go to hell, take care of your own problems, don't ask for any more of our money and let the chips fall where they may. I do not want any foreign oil. I will gladly make any sacrifices needed in order to tell the Arab world to kiss this "Yanks" butt. Everyone constantly tells the U.S. to mind their own business, but when we do, then we get beat up for not coming to others countries aid when they need food, money, medicine, or someone to fight their fight that they do not want to do themselves. I for one want our soldiers to come home, want our overseas bases closed, and our borders closed to any one who is not American. We do NOT need anyone but ourselves.

Nancy, Dallas, TX

Right Dragonw, someone from France has little to say about pending war since the US has saved France's backside time and time again. When was the last time France did a successful military opeation in it's own defense, ever? And excuse me if I don't see Muslem's rioting in our streets. You may want to travel to the mid-west and see just how glad they are to be in America.

John, Auburn, Pa,USA

To Raj from India and anyone else who is screaming "the Americans need to mind their own business" let me remind you that twice in the last 100 years we have desperately tried just that and both times got drug into a major world war for our troubles. After WWII was India in any position to take on the Soviet's? How about France? Maybe we should have given the job to China ...oops I guess that wouldn't have worked either. The role we play in the world was basically thrust on us. We would not be in the middle east if not for 9-11. Like many Americans I hope the day comes when we decide the rest of the world just isn't worth it. We'll bring the billions of dollars we send annually to the UN and its programs back home (as well as what we send to Africa and elsewhere in aid). Isolationism is sounding better everyday.

Valerie, Cincinnati, USA

interesting. all the americans on this blog seem to forget that only the US would be stupid enough to send $11 billion to a war zone in cash with no proper oversight. that obviously has no effect on levels of unrest. if there are iranian arms in iraq, its because uncle sam forgot how to do his job. dont distribute resources to a potential enemy without oversight. and whatever you dont dont mention the british and american arms dealers currently in iran selling weapons to anyone with money

sean deni, london,

One could imagine this dismal event having gone off two other, different ways: 1) The Commodore, his troops and allies (US 5th Fleet) maintain a constant watch on Iranian navy or other units and don't launch inspection boats without first ensuring that they can't be intercepted; or 2) Cornwall interposes herself at the scene with sufficient assets; warns any approaching Iranian units and sinks them if they deploy aggressively. A rather different message then results. Either way you take care of your troops.

Erwin von den Steinen, Bonn, Germany

And maybe Bush (helped by Blair) will plan attacks comparable to 9/11 very soon in America blaming iranian terrorists like he did before, and then start a new war... protecting oil, destroying houses and museums...

DRAGONE, Paris, France

With a world gravely concerned about Iran's nuclear plans, Iran's constant interference in Iraq's affairs, and a provocative Iranian leader, this article seems to blame the US in a style similar to the BBC rubbish.

Cole, Phila, USA

I feel sorry for the soldiers having to pay for the politicians money games. It all comes down to the fact that Iran is dropping the dollar as it's trading currency any oil producing country which does this is going to face problems. As for bombing these people into the stone age The public do not have the stomach for more war. Bush and Blair are already finished because of what they have done in iraq. It makes me sad to see what money lenders, big business and religeous nut jobs have done when 99.9% of people just want to get on with life.

Geoff, Bath,

Would everyone on this HSY REMEMBER that he RN were serving there under a UNITED NATIONS mandate..... anymore mention of Bush Blair or Iraq deserves an Anti Social Behavioural Order

John Borwn, Portsmouth , UK

I think it's fair to say that the US is going to go to war with Iran whatever happens. No doubt they are well in to the planning process of how the war will be fought (remember the comical but portenteous axis of evil speech?). Iran's clearly scrabbling around trying to avert the inevitable war of aggression coming their way for being a developed, muslim, anti-american state with oil reserves.

This incident may well be used as part of the pretext, and the UK will no doubt collaborate with it and stand alone as supporters of the US 'War on Terror'. If it all gets sorted out now another pretext (real or imaginary) will be found before too long. Probably WMD, the plight of the poor oppressed Iranians, etc etc.

Zac, Sheffield, UK

Hey Stop fighting make peace allah knows everything what is happening stop it before the severe punishmets is given to them from allah who ever is making msichief on the earth....................

Ali, Pune, India

One wise American once said, "Faith is believing what you know ain't so."
Many unwise ones now have faith in their leaders and propagandists.
If it were not for bad faith, would there be any faith at all in the AngloAmerican world now?

Buck, Peoria, IL, USA

One supposes that the Iranians captured GPS devices belonging to the Marines and that all Blair can do is huff and puff.

Most likely the Brits were clearly inside Iranian waters. Of course, Blair would hope, vainly, that interlopers get out before the hard evidece of British aggression is presented to an international forum.

Meanwhile, Britian swirls in patriotic jingoism that would make some Yanks blush...and its all hot air.

But silliest stuff is sniffling because on the personnel is a female who for Pete's has a young aughter....pleeeze...play the violins louder and pass the hankies.

John Hanna , Taoyuan , Taiwan

It both disgusts me and angers me that people from my country the UK are involved in any of this mess, our boat was working for the UN when 15 navy people got taken away by the Iranians, this is in my opinion because our PM Blair got us involved in helping the US in their so called war on terrorism, strange how the US never bother going to countries like Uganda and Zimbabwe in which there are hundreds of killings of innocents by their barbaric regimes, but of course they don't have oil so they don't matter, why do the US feel they have a right to interfer in how other countries are run?........because of Blairs continued support of the war mongerer Bush the UK is now seen as a ligitimate target for many Muslim counties who harbour terrorist and this angers me, let the Americans go from war to war on their own and maybe some day their people will get sick of all the body bags returning to the US and wonder why and wether or not it's worth it......rant over!

A W WOOD, cleethorpes, UK

To Ali from Tehran - Man i love your guts and patriotism.
Go ahead. Probably the americans want another vietnam

Raj, gurgaoon, India

The Americans and the brits think, they are everything. They are trying to have a strangle hold on world. Let the Americans mind their own business rather than interfing into others affairs.

Raj, gurgaoon, India,karnataka

You know why it happened "before Cornwall could respond"? Because they were too close to the Iranian land to react before Iranians take their captives to the shore. You know what it means? They were inside Iranian waters. Read the between lines when you read the news. Brits are clearly lying!

Jon Oliver, Vancouver, Canada

To John Gallant of Florida: What would you do if Russians would come to the New York Harbor, and start boarding ships by force & inspecting them? Wouldn't the US troops go and detain them? Now Iran has done exactly the same thing to aggressors who happn to be British. Think before you start war mongering. What did it buy you in Iraq? Do you want to start a war with Iran? A country 100 tims stronger than Iraq?????????? and 1000 times more intelligent?
Go ahead Rambo, and make my day.

Ali, Tehran, Iran

Americans have their own view of justifying everything they do is right. In reality it is not always true. The Iranians have every right to capture Americans or British as long as the US and its allies are against their interests. There is no terrorism.

Manimaran, Dubai, UAE

I think Iran should hold on to those men untill the US release there men, becouse it seems like George Bush and Tony Blair think that God as put them in charge of the the world, and if so the world did not get the memo, and Iran should not give in to the bullies of the world.

kabba, greenbelt, USA

The majority of the comments here are saturated with bravado and encourage the "the Rambo-like" action so dominant with the Americans and the Brits.
It was the Rambo belief that Iraq was a cakewalk and it is obvious now that lies and innuendo have no place in the new reality. Relatively ill armed and ill equipped people are capable of creating havoc against the most sophisticated armaments and to believe that one can just bomb countries into oblivion is a far more daunting task than one imagines. You just cannot have a completely successful genocide as is well proven in Iraq.
On the subject of why the commander of HMS. Cornwall not take action?
To me it is because he got caught red handed in Iranian waters and to have escalated another blunder would have been fatal for him.
If one wants to be objective about this incident, then one has to be prepared to face the truth. The normal British and American classic virtue is not to admit anything, deny everything. The spin always works.

mashoud janjua, North Lancaster, Canada

I say we retrieve the illegally captured soldiers, kill anyone who attempts to stop us, and send a clear message that terrorism (which this is) will not be tolerated. I am not pro-war, however, like my grandfather used to say, "if you’re going to do something, do it right."

War is won by creating casualties. If you don't like that, I stress DON'T GO TO WAR, but in the event that one does need to go to war, do it well, kill the people you need to kill, and leave. Be effective, and protect your troops. Worrying about the other side’s casualties is their problem, not ours. It's about time for us to be proud of who we are as Americans, and Britons, and damn those who purport to love these fine countries while bashing them at the same time. God bless the US, and God bless the UK. May we experience peace soon, until then, let us fight honorably and effectively. Semper Fidelis.

John Gallant, Clearwater, Florida

When we kidnap them it's justified becasue they are spies. When they kidnap us it's extreemism or terrorism. As the Russians say, one rat devoures another. It serves them both well. I hope the 15 Brits get released mostly becasue they look like me and I have empathy for them. Past that I can easily see how anyone living over there would be really mad at us for invading countries and killing loads of people for no good reason. Or, did we ever find all that WMD?

Paul, Portland, USA

I agree with Gerald Joyce.If we had done as good a job with the occupation as we did with the invasion things would be entirely different in Iraq right now.As for Iran if they should be foolish enough to refuse to release our cousins the Britts unharmed we should march our army out of Iraq....and through Iran.

James, Orlando, USA/Florida

Why is it ok for US and her boass UK kidnap and kill others while it is wrong for a nation to defend its boundaries. Because of these double standards we will not see peace or calm and more killing and bloodshed on the hands of bunch of crazy animals from us and uk.

Osama Bin in yo moma, kandahar, afgan

Yes, when one invades other countries bad things tend to happen in the immediate vicinity. Just what else was the UK expecting? Flowers and candy?? ...

Oh, right.

GrantEd, Seattle, Wa, US

I think that we should issue iran with a warning to realease the prisoners, if the deadline is not met, we should take out action to cripple their economy by blockading them, cutting off fuel, electricity and food supplies. by doing so, iran will nt be able to retaliate when british forces enter iran to retake the hostages and retun them safley back into the united kingom. although i agree with a statement made with sending in the SAS, i think we should try to resolve this issue politicly before making any action, however i still think we should issue a rapid reaction unit to the iran/iraq border incase of any threats made by iran. if however so, iran are found they theyre accusations to the british were false, iran should compensate the british and the marines and seamen and woman. i still think this could esculate into yet another middle east crisis, leading into yet another cold war type situation, tjis time however, i feel that I.C.R.B.M will be used by the people of the middleeast

Adan Bellingham , Wolverhampton , UK

Stop! Or I'll yell "Stop!" again!

Phillip, New York, NY

I think the Iranians are seeing how far they can push the west and then sit back and watch as everyone bashes America. I say we bring our troops and money home from every continent in the world. We can secure our own borders, triple our customs inspectors, police, Emergency medical personnel and homeland security. We can take care of our own poor. And everyone can protect and subsidize themselves.
Blame the Americans. Thats the popular thing to do. We'll let the rest of the world deal with Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran and Syria when they threaten your countries with terrorism and nuclear weapons when you don't cave to the whims.

Steve, Katy, Texas

Richard Beeston is wrong to blame the US for this problem. The Iranians are responsible for their own actions.

Instead of going through the futile process of laying blame, why isn't the press asking more important questions? Why haven't UK authorities release the coordinates of the encounter? Why couldn't HMS Cornwall protect its patrols? Tension with Iran has been building for a long time, why were patrols sent out close to Iranian waters if there wasn't adequate defensive coverage?

If the UK proves that its personel were taken from Iraqi water, diplomacy should be used for a couple of weeks, if that fails, Special Forces should be sent in to get them out.

Nick Mitchell, Guayaquil, Ecuador

Expert Richard Beeston .When the US arrasted five Irarian men last year where were they arrested ?? Answer IRAQ or wait they were just sightseeing.

Juanita, DC EX Pat,

Has the UN piped up yet? What are their thoughts?

Maxwell, Washington, DC

John,
Please examine the facts. The Iranians are suppling weapons that are killing American and British soldiers. They are inside Iraq. If you think the IRGC is doing this without the consent of the Mullahs then you are sadly mistaken. Cutoff the Iranians supply of gasoline, they can't refine their own.

Chuck Schmitz, Gahanna, Ohio, USA

All these tough Yankees,/Brits.Megalomaniacs all together.
Taking side for a guy who ist telling the world he is clean.
Blaming others when they hit back. Pathetic!
The aggression in the first place came from the two guys with their religious enlightment (spirit). May be Spirits?
World has changed since Colonial times. You are not the new "Herrenmenschen". or "Gods Own People". I think, we had that some 70 years ago.But there are always some followers of that great idea.

Dieivie, Stuttgart, GER

It speaks volumes that the skipper of Cornwall had to call for 'advice' from Whitehall-all while he watched 15 sailors and marines being taken into custody right before his eyes. Nelson, Cunningham, Beatty, and Fraser must be turning in their graves about now.

Does Cornwall's skipper have to call them to ask permission to use the head-or is there still command perogative left in the navy I admired so much as a lad?

Carroll Reilly, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY

Am I the only one wondering how this whole incident was allowed to unfold the way it did? Why wasn't any action taken by either the covering helicopter or HMS Cornwall? In my mind Commodore Nick Lambert has a lot of explaining to do. Immediate, decisive action might not only have prevented the current predicament but also sent a strong message to the Iranians that such adventures would not be tolerated. As it now stands, because of the Commodore's hesitation, the Iranians will insist on some sort of ritual humiliation of both the service members involved and Britain as a whole. I say it's time for the Times to demand an accounting form Commodore Lambert.

J O'Connor, Chicago, USA

Kidnapping? What kidnapping?
The 15 incompetents have been arrested for invading Iranian waters.
Shame on Britain, again.

Sergio , Nassau, Bahamas

I agree with the above: the commander of the Cornwall should be returned to the UK to face a court martial. The man is an incompetent pacifict, like most of the UK military. "Peace keeping" has gone to their heads and they have no idea what war is all about.

Arthur Gibson, Melbourne, Australia

If it is the American's fault that these 15 soldiers were kidnapped last Friday, then is it also our fault that the same thing happened to British soldiers in 2004? At what point are the Iranians responsible for this obvious act of aggression?

M, Austin, Texas

No teeth in the lion, the cubs will be stolen and worse.

John Breethan, Seattle, WA

Iran knows better than to abduct any US Soldiers. Would lead to a direct thumping of epic proportions. Now theyplay their card with what they view as a more vulnerable advesary. Ball is in your court Blair.

Brandt, Northern, California

I have to say that the actions of the Iranian's of late speaks of an aggressiveness that is unsurpassed for a third world country. To blatently kidnap British Troops while in Iraqi waters is a challenge that cannot be resolved with the ineffective political channels of the UN. This is a direct challenge to the UK and cannot be handled lightly. To do so will ruin any credibility that the UK has left as a force of freedom. The politics of 'Don't shoot we're treating them well' cannot hinder a retalitory response from the UK.

James Brittain, Amsterdam, Nederlands

Jim, the UK already look like impotent idiots, as does the US; we're losing! And now we're being manouvered by the US and Iran into a further confrontation we cant win. As for these 15; I'll reserve my sympathy for the Iraqi people, who didnt chose to take part in an illegal, immoral invasion.

mick verran, Bath, UK

BRITISH ACTIONS VERY SUSPICIOUS

One news story said the Iranians had confronted the British with navigational coordinates of where this incident occurred, but that the Iranians had not made them public. The British also did not make the coordinates public.

If people are so convinced with their versions of the location of the incident, why don't they make the coordinates public?

Arik Silverman, Milwaukee, WI

Kidnapping? What kidnapping Mr R. Beeston?
15 british army people have been arrested as a consequence for having illegaly invaded Iranian waters.
Do not blame anyone but their lidership and incompetence.

Sergio Seixas, Nassau, Bahamas

the captain of the Cornwall must have been some kind of a clown to send the inflatables to an area where they could not be protected. The fact that this has happened before shows that the MOD is asleep at the wheel. This is why we have Trident.

pete, coventry, uk

Britian is running short on time here. They must get clear statements that clear the way toward retaliatory military action from the EU and Russia in the next week. Similar to the clearance Israel got for Hezbollah's actions... the Iranians are testing the Brits just as they tested the Israelis last summer.

They should provide a credible threat of force and a hard deadline. And then, if that deadline passes they must act decisively. America will stand behind them, and I would hope that based on this provocative action by Iran the EU would stand solidly behind them.

Chris, New York, NY

Tell me why is it surprising or unreasonable or unjustified for Iran to take actions such as this if we can and do abduct their consular officials in Iraq at will. Because they are "allegedly" Quds Force? That great old word, allegedly. That means if we say so, it is true. I understand all the rage on this matter, but why can it not be seen that we reap what we sow? Face it. Britain and the US are in no practical position at all to start a new war in the region without massive, unpredictable, and uncontrollable consequences. If we nevertheless ignore this reality, the doom that comes is ours to embrace. Enjoy.

John, Seattle, USA

Blaire and Clinton gutted their respective militaries. Just who are we going to task with sending Iran back to the stone age?

I saw a figure back around 2000 said that the US military shrunk by an astonishing 900,000+ men during the nineties. These were not conscripts, but well trained, well motivated and well equipped conventional fighting forces. The infantry units of the Army and Marine Corps fared particularly badly in the cuts.

Had the US been able to send the 400,000 troops originally requested by General Shinseki for the invasion and, more importantly, proper occupation of Iraq; we would have both been out of there by now and this would never have happened. Unfortunately, the cupboard was bare and you may yet have to resort to the SAS. A week later, you'll be truck bombed like we were in Lebanon and Bill Clinton will ring his hands about what a mess the Middle East is.

Gerald Joyce, Chicago, USA

Why aren't people asking HOW this could have happened? The Cornwall has helicopters doesn't it? How did the marines (and the Cornwall) let these Iranian boats get within striking distance of the inflatable boats? Your Navy lets a woman be involved with a mission that has a history of kidnapping? Did anybody call for US air or Navy support? We've had our own problems with this war, but this seem like it could have been avoided with a little common sense. Good luck England - I suggest you get some good answers from the Commander of the Cornwall, and in case your military doesn't realize it - they're in a war zone.

Paul Shugg, Oradell, NJ

Iran was warned many times about putting agents into Iraq. The failure here is a lack of resolve to use overwhelming force to deter Iran from its ambitions of regional hegemony. It is sad that the British Captain was unprepared or proscribed from interdicting the Iranian attackers at the time of the kidnapping.

Stephen, Indianapolis, USA/IN

It is the American's fault. How unexpected this observation must be! The Iranians would not have dared go after American sailors, and had they, would have been welcomed with lead. What has happened to the UK? Have you lost your bottle? Churchill must be rolling in his grave.

CM Veith, Miami, USA

England is a willing participant in this absurd war. It's naval task force commander in the region has apparently become a pacifist exposing his shipmates to unecessary dangers and unwilling to back them up when they come under threat. I suppose the tongue is now mightier than the gun. What would Lord Nelson think? Either you fight to save your people or you pack up your little Type 22's and sail them back to the Solent.

LeRoy Woodson Jr, Paris, France

If the British do not take action to get their people back, then terrorism wins and Iran knows it can push the British people around whenever it wants to get what ever it wants.

Knowing the British people as I do, the UK government will more than likely cave in to Iranian demands, because its people are equally too afraid to take to war on terrorism to the terrorists and are more content with being its victims.

john karpiscak, Fredericksburg, VA, USA

This is an outrageous dereliction of duty by the commanding officer of the HMS Cornwall which requires a severe punishment. Anything less wil not be a deterent to other commanding officers to prevent future kidnappings of crews or troops by Iranians on sea or land.

Jim, Roscoe, USA

"Before HMS Cornwall could respond, .. "

You mean while her Captain was on the phone asking desk jockeys what to do because the politicians are control freaks.
Pathetic.

Stan(expat), Texas, USA

'send Iran back to the stone age', says the Briton with reference to the Iranian. And he keeps a straight face. Oh dear...

David McMillan, Glasgow,

This is clear intimidation by Iran.
We should exhaust every diplomatic avenue, try every non violent means, so those opposed to this action in Iran itself have a chance to sort this out.
Make sure the world have seen us try everything else, and if that fails after an agreed time limit say 15 days, hit Iran as hard as possible wherever it hurts most, by all means necessary.

Hector, Bristol,

"Send them back to where they belong", Richard, how very enlightning.

Ramli Mohamed, Colombo,

The detention of these personnel is completely unjustified and unwarranted. But am i the only one to see the irony in that whilst hundreds of people are currently being held in UK and US custody (in the interests of 'national security' ) without any credible evidence against them, we criticise Iran for doing the same. Its slightly two-faced to ask others to abide by the rule of law when we fail to do so ourselves.

Richard Hayes, London,

Blame the american's for this one too... How pathetic. If it was because of the five Iranian agents the Yanks took wouldn't they take Yanks instead... They yanks will not free the five Iranian agents in a prisoner exchange, so "great britian" (I use that term loosely) best grab their collective sack's and stand up for themseleves here...

jr, Toronto, Canada

I am an American former Army Officer who is a combat vet. Despite my negative views about this war, Mr. Mumford from Hartfordshire is correct. If the UK fails to take action, you will end up looking like idiots and impotent to the international community. Like the US and the storming of the Embassy in Iran, the results will be quite bad for the UK and several governments in the future.

Jim Phipps, Trent, USA/Texas

Send in the SAS and send Iran back to the stone age, where they belong.

Richard Mumford, Hartfordshire, UK