Because they lack respect (fear) of the British.
Why is it that you can never fine a Thatcher when you need one?
I guess that's how they felt about us when they seized American hostages. Of course Carter being president probably had something to do with lack of respect, etc.
'Because they lack respect (fear) of the British.'
They appear to lack respect (fear) of the Americans as well:
Monday, June 02, 2003
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Four U.S. soldiers and five civilians on boats in the Shatt al-Arab waterway were detained, blindfolded and interrogated by Iranians for several hours on Sunday, the U.S. Central Command said on Monday.
The soldiers and three of the civilians, including a U.S. contractor, were escorted back to their boats and released on Monday but two civilian boat drivers remained in detention, a spokesman for Central Command said.
The group was "taken by force by Iranians. They were blindfolded, taken up river for about 20 minutes to a building where they were interrogated," Cmdr. Dan Gage said by telephone from Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida.