Tehran – Iran’s hard-line president said Saturday that Britain and its allies were “arrogant and selfish” for not apologizing over what he called the incursion of 15 captured British sailors and marines into Iranian waters.
President Bush described the 15 Britons as “hostages” in his first comments on the capture and said their seizure was “inexcusable,” calling for their release.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s most extensive comments on the crisis closely followed tough talk from other Iranian officials, an indication that Tehran’s position could be hardening.
Britain, meanwhile, appeared to be easing its stance, emphasizing its desire to talk with Iran about what it termed a regrettable situation.
“We continue to express our willingness to engage in dialogue and discussions with Iran,” Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said at a European Union summit in Bremen, Germany. “I think everyone regrets that this position has arisen. … What we want is a way out of it.”
Tony Blair expressed disgust Friday that the captured service members had been “paraded and manipulated” in video footage released by Iran, and he warned Teh ran it faced increasing isolation if it did not free them.
Meanwhile, an Iranian opposition group claimed Saturday that Iran’s action was planned and carried out in retaliation for the U.N. sanctions imposed against the country.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran offered no evidence to support its claims that the British crew’s capture on March 23 was planned in advance.
