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Tensions rise as Iran threatens to prosecute British sailors

TEHERAN, JUNE 22. Iran will prosecute eight British sailors accused of illegally entering Iran's territorial waters aboard three patrol boats, state-run television reported on Tuesday, exacerbating already high tensions between Teheran and London.

In London, the British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, phoned his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi to ask for the release of the sailors, who were shown on Iranian state TV on Tuesday blindfolded and seated cross-legged on the ground.

The British Government also summoned the Iranian Ambassador, Morteza Sarmadi, to demand he explain why Iranians had arrested the men while they conducted a ``routine mission'' in the Shatt-al-Arab waterway, the British Foreign Office said.

The eight were detained on Monday as they were delivering a patrol boat for the new Iraqi Riverine Patrol Service.

— AP

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