UK sailors captured at gunpoint
Fifteen British Navy personnel have been captured at gunpoint by Iranian forces, the Ministry of Defence says.
The men were seized when they boarded a boat in the north Arabian Gulf, off the coast of Iraq, which they suspected was smuggling cars.
The Royal Navy said it was doing everything it could to secure their release and they were understood to be safe and well.
They were said to be carrying out a routine patrol.
A routine patrol in international waters. There were six Iranian ships involved, Revolutionary Guard not regular Navy.
Iran seizes British navy personnel in Iraqi waters
LONDON, March 23 (Reuters) - Iran captured fifteen British Royal Navy personnel during a "routine boarding operation" in Iraqi waters on Friday, Britain's Ministry of Defence said.
Iran's ambassador in London has been summoned and Britain is demanding the immediate safe release of the sailors.
"At approximately 1030 Iraqi time this morning, 15 British naval personnel, engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters ... were seized by Iranian naval vessels," the ministry said in a statement.
"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."