15 UK Navy personnel held by Iran in Iraqi waters

amplify image

Iranian naval vessels seized 15 British Navy personnel Friday in Iraqi waters

Iranian naval vessels seized 15 British Navy personnel Friday in Iraqi waters, the Ministry of Defense said.

The British personnel from the frigate HMS Cornwall were "engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters," and had completed their inspection of a merchant ship when they were accosted by Iranian vessels, the ministry said in a statement.

A U.S. military official in Washington said the Britons were in two inflatable boats from the frigate H.M.S. Cornwall during a routine smuggling investigation.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the confrontation happened as the British contingent was traveling along the boundary of territorial waters between Iran and Iraq.

U.S. Navy says none of its personnel held by Iran

The U.S Navy in the Gulf said none of its military personnel was captured by Iran during an incident in Iraqi waters on Friday.

"We can confirm that there are no U.S. military involved or held in this incident," a spokesman for U.S. Naval Central Command said.