Guide Note
The 2007 Iran hostage crisis began when Iran detained 15 British sailors in the Persian Gulf. The soldiers were stationed aboard the HMS Cornwall, when they were surrounded by the Navy of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. The British ship had been sailing in disputed waters, and were subsequently detained off the Iraq-Iran coast.
Fast Facts
- 15 British Royal Navy personnel seized on March 23, 2007
- Iran claims personnel strayed into their waters
- British forces claimed to have been in Iraqi waters
- A British investigation determined that the Cornwall was in disputed waters
- Hostages were detained for 12 days
- The 15 personnel were released on April 4, 2007
- Quote:
- "On the occasion of the birthday of the great prophet, and for the occasion of the passing of Christ, I say the Islamic Republic government and the Iranian people — with all powers and legal right to put the soldiers on trial — forgave those 15. This pardon is a gift to the British people"
