Sounds like this guy was an Iranian plant.
Iran dissidents: Behind confessions, prison ordeal
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2311101/posts
Judging by the previous conduct of the British sailors captured by the Iranians, the Brits have no pride. They’ll say anything to save their skins. All that the Iranians had to do was glare at them, and they confessed to anything. Nothing like having allies that wilt under pressure. It’s a good thing that they only fought the French throughout history.