Iranians, Brits Move Toward Talks

Radicals and moderates fight it out, tacitly, over captured sailors

(NEWSER) - An internal squabble between Iran's radical president and more moderate officials is in evidence in the crisis over the captive British marines and sailors. President Ahmadinejad and his Revolutionary Guards are pushing for a trial. Cooler heads, including Ali Larijani, the diplomat who offered bilateral negotiations yesterday, are pushing back, writes Michael Slackman of the New York Times. More»

(NEWSER) - The 15 captured British sailors are to be released immediately, says Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The surprise announcement came toward the end of an hour-long press conference, in which Ahmadinejad berated the British government for using the situation to create "media hype." He maintains that the Brits invaded Iran and says the decision to release the troops is a "gift." More»

Public outcry leads to ban on further embarrassing interviews

(NEWSER) - The British Ministry of Defense bowed to public opinion last night and banned further media deals for the sailors and marines released from captivity in Iran. The decision to let the detainees sell their stories had "not reached a satisfactory outcome," the defense secretary said. More»

Officials defend go-ahead to cash in

(NEWSER) - Britain’s military chiefs are under fire for allowing 15 British sailors and Royal Marines released by Iran to sell their stories. Faye Turney has already closed a deal for almost $200,000, and at least two others are considering offers. The families of British servicemen killed and wounded in Iraq are outraged. More»

Brit sailors say they were threatened, psychologically tortured

(NEWSER) - Britain's freed sailors say they were blindfolded, psychologically tortured, and isolated from each other during their captivity in Iran. They were lined up while weapons were cocked, and told that if they did not say they were in Iranian waters when they were caught, they would face seven years in prison, the BBC reports. More»