Iran Snubs UK Over Boats

Updated:14:19, Sunday March 13, 2005

Iran has put British military boats it seized last year on public display, despite British Government efforts to get them back.

The move is being seen as a direct message to Britain that Iran is refusing to budge from its position on the controversial incident.

Britons were paraded on video

In June 2004, the Revolutionary Guards detained six British marines and two sailors for three days after claiming the units had strayed into Iranian waters along the Shatt al-Arab waterway that divides southern Iraq from Iran.

Reports said the exhibition, entitled "a piece of paradise" was taking place near the southern border with Iraq where the patrol boats were seized, would feature hardline Revolutionary Guards recounting their version of the controversial events.

The troops, involved in training Iraq river police, were on their way to the southern Iraqi city of Basra.

During their captivity, the troops were paraded blindfolded on television and forced to publicly apologise for their "mistake", sparking widespread anger in Britain.

One British newspaper report said they had also been subjected to a mock execution.

Iran insists that the boats were intercepted only after they entered Iranian waters but, after the released unit was debriefed, British officials said it appeared they were "forcibly escorted" over the maritime border by the Revolutionary Guards.