The eight were caught in what the Iranians claimed was Iranian territorial waters.
Tehran said the sailors had strayed into the Iranian side of the Shatt Al-Arab waterway. It held the men for three days, prompting a diplomatic standoff.
But British Defense Minister Geoff Hoon told the House of Commons today that the men reported they had not made a navigational mistake and had been detained in Iraqi waters.
He also called on Tehran to return the three river-patrol boats and equipment it seized when it took the men into custody.
(Reuters/AP)
Tehran said the sailors had strayed into the Iranian side of the Shatt Al-Arab waterway. It held the men for three days, prompting a diplomatic standoff.
But British Defense Minister Geoff Hoon told the House of Commons today that the men reported they had not made a navigational mistake and had been detained in Iraqi waters.
He also called on Tehran to return the three river-patrol boats and equipment it seized when it took the men into custody.
(Reuters/AP)