Iran Releases British Soldiers - Update

As you know, Iran released the 15 British soldiers recently. They were flown from Tehran on a British Airways flight in business class, no less.

On arrival at Heathrow, the group were set to transfer immediately by Navy helicopter to the Royal Marines Base Chivenor, near Barnstaple, north Devon, for a debriefing and medical checks.

They were lined up while weapons were cocked, making them "fear the worst", one of the 15 freed sailors revealed.

The crew were told that if they did not admit they were in Iranian waters when captured that they faced seven years in prison, a press conference heard.

Opposing their captors was "not an option," they said.

And after the 15 marines and sailors were seized they were subjected to random interrogation and rough handling, and faced constant psychological pressure, they said.

At the same time, Fars News is reporting the following...

An Iranian MP said President Ahmadinejad's decision to pardon the British troop proved Iran's role in international issues and displayed the Islamic Republic's might and authority.

Speaking to FNA in the eastern city of Birjand on Thursday, representative of Ferdows, Sarayan and Tabas at the Islamic Consultative Assembly Amir Hassankhani said, "Today West intends to fade away Iran's role in international issues and President Ahmadinejad's decision about the sailors was a strong response to the said intention."

He said that Iran is a country which cannot be ignored due to both its extent and its power, reminding that pardoning of the British troops was a gift to the Britons and proved Iran's good intentions.

The legislative official further mentioned, "Arrest and release of the British sailors proved that if Iran's issues and demands are overlooked at the international level, the Islamic Republic can create different challenges for the other side."

Addressing western powers, he said, "Do not try to hide Iran's role in the international issues through your global media, because President Ahmadinejad's decision proved that Iran is prepared to give up its rights to help solve international issues."

There is no end to the spin......

Yesterday, John Bolton, former US ambassador to the United Nations, was interviewed on the US-funded Alhurra Arabic-language television network and said the following...

“In a way I think Tehran has won a double victory....They won a victory when they captured the hostages and they won a victory when they released the hostages“.

While we are on the subject of "giving up rights to help solve international issues", there are reports that Iran will mark its “National Day of Nuclear Technology” at the Natanz nuclear site on Monday, April 9th.

However, I have been unable to find this piece of information on any of the Iranian new sites as of right now.