World | Updated Jun 19, 2007 at 10:02am IST

Iran refuses to release UK prisoners

Sakthy Edamaruku, CNN-IBN

New Delhi: There is no breakthrough in the US-British tensions over Iran. And to add to that, news reports suggest that the US might attack Iran.

Iranian television on Friday aired a new video showing one of 15 British detainees apologising to Iranians for "entering your waters without permission."

A few hours later, Iran released a letter said to be written by another British sailor, stating she had been "sacrificed" to the policies of the British and US governments.

British government responded to the video by criticising the treatment of the sailors and marines.

Britain expresses disgust at the treatment of the captured British Royal Navy personnel by the Iranians and US might launch a massive air strike on Iran on Good Friday, April 6.

Military experts are warning that US air strikes will target Iranian air and naval defence capabilities.

It's not clear if the targets would include Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz and the reactor in Bushehr.

On Thursday, the UN Security Council issued a statement expressing "grave concern" over Iran's capture of 15 British sailors. The UK wanted a stronger statement - one deploring the hostage-taking, but Russia reportedly opposed that suggestion.

Iran's UN mission issued a statement saying the standoff "should be settled through bilateral channels" - in discussions between the UK and Iran, in other words. "The British government's attempt to engage third parties, including the Security Council, with this case is not helpful," Iran said.

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