In an interview conducted prior to his capture, but
broadcast only after the release of the 15 Royal Navy personnel,
Royal Marine Captain Chris Air, told Sky News TV that the object
of their mission was to "gather intelligence" on Iran.
How did they do it? They were, according to
Captain Chris Air, gathering intelligence from Iraqi fishing
vessels.
The use of fishing vessels for spying purposes is
an age-old method, used extensively during World War II and the
Cold war era; MI6 had fishing trawlers used to spy on the Soviet
Union; they were also used during the Vietnam war. The Chinese continue
to use spy fishing vessels in the South China sea.
Iranian intelligence is fully familiar with this
age-old semi-covert endeavor.
Here is the full transcript of Captain's Air's interview
with Sky news, which confirms that the mission was to spy on Iran,
in the context of ongoing coalition war preparations.
TO
VIEW THE SKY NEWS TV INTERVIEW CLICK HERE
The Skye News report (emphasis added).
Captain Chris Air of the Royal Marines revealed
to Sky News that he and his colleagues had been gathering intelligence
on the Iranians.
Captain Air: "This is what's called an
IPAT - an Interaction patrol whereby we come alongside or
even board the fishing Dhows and basically interact with the crew.
"It's partly a hearts-and-minds type patrol, whereby
we'll come along and speak to the crew, find out if they have
any problems and just sort of introduce ourselves, let them know
we're here to protect them, protect their fishing and stop any
terrorism and piracy in the area.
"Secondly it's to gather int (Intelligence).
If they do have any information because they're here for days
at a time, they can share it with us whether it's about piracy
or any sort of Iranian activity in the area because obviously
we're right by the buffer zone with Iran
Jonathan Samuels "This Dhow had been robbed
by some Iranian soldiers about 3 days ago, they had some money
taken off them and apparently it's happened quite a lot of times
in the past so it's good to gather int on the Iranians."
Sky Correspondent Jonathan Samuels: Is the captain
happy to talk to you?
"Yes he is yeah. They're generally very compliant
and friendly. We have a translator onboard who's a great help
- sort of helps to break the ice - and we're obviously learning
Arabic as well.
"It's good to help them just get relaxed and it's
a very friendly and de-escalatory approach we adopt."
JS - Any dangers? "At the moment we haven't encountered
anyone who's been anything other than compliant (interrupted).
"We are capable of doing non-compliant boardings
as well, however I think they'd be a bit stupid to start being
aggresive with us because obviously we've got seven armed
Marines and generally that's not a problem with us coming aboard
because they understand we're here to help them at the end of
the day."
JS - Any real risks?
"There can be yes, and we're not complacent
about what we do so we make sure that we do take all the necessary
security measure before we go jumping on a Dhow. We'll assess
the situation and make sure it's secure before we come aboard."
(Source Sky News, 6 April 2007)
In this statement they present their mandate as being
under UN auspices, unrelated to Iran, "conducting a routine operation,
as allowed under a UN mandate":
"On arrival at London Heathrow we were given the
news that four UK servicemen and a civilian interpreter had been
killed in Iraq. We would like to pass on our thoughts and condolences
to the families of those who died serving their country.
"We would also like, as a group, to thank the staff
of the British Embassy in Tehran and the Foreign Office and Ministry
of Defence for all their work in securing our release. We understand
a great deal of effort has been going on behind the scenes to
enable us to be returned to the UK and for that we are very grateful.
"We would also like to thank British Airways and
London Heathrow for making our return so comfortable, quick and
easy.
"Lastly I would like to thank the very many members
of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who have been working so hard
over the last 2 weeks supporting our families and friends and
for arranging our return to here."
Lt Felix Carman:
"On Friday 23 March I along with 14 of my colleagues
were part of a routine boarding patrol. We deployed from HMS Cornwall
in two Rigid Inflatable Boats and patrolled into an area south
of the Shatt Al Arab waterway. This was meant to be a routine
boarding operation and followed approximately 66 similar such
boardings over the previous four weeks.
"We approached an unidentified merchant vessel
that our supporting helicopter had identified as worth investigation.
We carried out a completely compliant boarding with the full cooperation
of the Master and crew. The RM secured the vessel and the RN element
of the boarding party then arrived and commenced a thorough search
of the ship. This was in complete accordance with our UN mandate
and as part of an International Coalition.
"We were equipped with Xeres true navigational
equipment and hand held GPS for backup. The helicopter in support
provided continuous navigational confirmation and we were also
linked to HMS Cornwall who were monitoring our exact position
at all times. Let me make it absolutely clear, irrespective of
what has been said in the past, when we were detained by the IRG
we were inside internationally recognised Iraqi territorial
waters and I can clearly state we were 1.7 nautical miles from
Iranian waters."
Capt Air
"It was during the boarding that we noticed the
helicopter had returned to 'Mother', and we started calling the
ship on VHF to find out why. A short while later two speed boats
were spotted approaching rapidly about 400 metres away.
"I ordered everyone to make their weapons ready
and ordered the boarding party to return to the boats. By the
time all were back on board, two Iranian boats had come alongside.
One officer spoke good English and I explained that we were
conducting a routine operation, as allowed under a UN mandate.
"But when we tried to leave, they prevented us
by blocking us in. By now it was becoming increasingly clear that
they had arrived with a planned intent.
"Some of the Iranian sailors were becoming deliberately
aggressive and unstable. They rammed our boat and trained their
heavy machine guns, RPGs and weapons on us.
"Another six boats were closing in on us. We realised
that our efforts to reason with these people were not making any
headway. Nor were we able to calm some of the individuals down.
"It was at this point that we realised that had
we resisted there would have been a major fight, one we could
not have won with consequences that would have had major strategic
impact. We made a conscious decision to not engage the Iranians
and do as they asked. They boarded our boats, removed our weapons
and steered the boats towards the Iranian shore."
Lt Carman
"On arrival at a small naval base, we were blindfolded,
stripped of all our kit and led to a room where I declared myself
as the officer in charge and was introduced to a local commander.
"Two hours later we were moved to a second location
and throughout the night were subjected to random interrogations.
The questions were aggressive and the handling rough, but it was
no worse than that.
"The following morning we were flown to Tehran
and transported to a prison where the atmosphere changed completely.
We were blindfolded, our hands were bound and we were forced up
against a wall. Throughout our ordeal we faced constant psychological
pressure.
"Later we were stripped and then dressed in pyjamas.
The next few nights were spent in stone cells, approximately 8ft
by 6ft, sleeping on piles of blankets. All of us were kept in
isolation.
"We were interrogated most nights, and presented
with two options. If we admitted we had strayed, we would be on
a plane back to the UK soon. If we didn't we faced up to seven
years in prison. We all at one time or another made a conscious
decision to make a controlled release of non-operational information.
"We were kept in isolation until the last few nights
when we were allowed to gather for a few hours together, in the
full glare of Iranian media.
"On day 12 we were taken to a Governmental complex,
blindfolded and then given three piece suits to wear. We watched
the President's statement live on TV, and it was only then that
we realised we were to be sent home.
"It goes without saying that there was a huge moment
of elation. We were made to line up to meet the president, one
at a time. My advice to everyone was not to mess this up now -
we all wanted to get home.
"Afterwards - and still blindfolded - we were taken
back to the hotel and for the first time met with UK representatives
including the Ambassador before boarding our flight back to Heathrow."
Capt Air
"In the short time we have been back we have not
been able to see all that has been broadcast or written about
our ordeal. We are aware that many people have questioned why
we allowed ourselves to be taken in the first place and why we
allowed ourselves to be shown by the Iranian authorities on television.
"Let me be absolutely clear, from the outset it
was very apparent that fighting back was simply not an option.
Had we chosen to do so then many of us would not be standing here
today. Of that I have no doubts.
"The Iranian Navy did not turn up lightly armed;
they came with intent, heavy weapons, and very quickly surrounded
us. We were equipped, armed and had rules of engagement for boarding
operations within Iraqi water.
"We were not prepared to fight a heavily armed
force who it is our impression came out deliberately into Iraqi
waters to take us prisoner. Reasoning with the Iranians was our
only option. We tried. We did our utmost to de-escalate the situation,
but our words fell on deaf ears. They had come with a clear purpose
and were never going to leave without us.
"The Iranians are not our enemies. We are not
at war with them. Our rules of engagement at that time stated
that we could only use lethal force if we felt that we were in
imminent danger of a loss of life. By the time the true intent
of the Iranians had become apparent - and we could have legitimately
fought back - it was too late for action.
"We were completely surrounded, and in addition
to the loss of life, any attempted to fight back would caused
a major international incident and an escalation of tension within
the region. Our team had seconds to make a decision and we believe
that we made the right decision. We still believe this was the
right thing to do."
Lt Carman
"Some have questioned why HMS Cornwall did not
provide greater protection for the team. HMS Cornwall is there
to guard the vital oil platforms and command the coalition forces.
She is also the platform by where boarding teams can launch from
and patrol out. Not only should she not have been closer to us
but she physically could not have been, the water is simply too
shallow. We are all immensely proud to be members of her crew
and look forward to rejoining her.
"I would just like to stress three points at this
stage:
"When taken by the Islamic Revolutionary
Guard we were well inside Iraqi territorial waters.
"The detention was clearly illegal and
not a pleasant experience.
"We as a group held out for as long as we
though appropriate. We then complied up to a point with our captors.
"We remain Immensely proud of our team. Their courage
and dignity throughout their illegal detention was in line with
the best tradition of the service.
"Throughout our ordeal we have tried to remain very much a team.
No one individual should be singled out but we are now very aware
of the special treatment singled out to Faye Turney. Faye is a
young mother and wife. She volunteered to join the Royal Navy
and is very proud to continue to serve. She is a highly professional
operator and we are incredibly proud to have her as part of our
team.
"The fact she is a women has been used as a propaganda tool by
Iran. This is deeply regrettable. She is coming to terms with
what has happened to her and not only Faye and her family but
all of us are finding the press focus very uncomfortable and difficult
and specifically request that you give all of us the space and
privacy we need when we return to our homes." (BBC, 6 April 2007)
Iranian TV News Report
It should be noted that Captain Chris Air's admission of spying
in the Sky News TV Interview is consistent with the Iranian statement
at the outset of the "hostage crisis" which was broadcast
on Iran's National News Network on March 29:
[Presenter] An Iranian navy official has said: "According to
the information recorded on the British sailors' GPS, their entrance
and stay in Iranian waters is definite."
Colonel Setareh, commander of Arvand Coastguard Base: "In the
name of God. On Friday 23 March 2007, two British boats intruded
Iranian water borders. Ultimately, these sailors were arrested
on this spot [shows the spot on a map].
"After reading the information on their navigation equipment
- the GPS seized from them - it was revealed that they had already
intruded water borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran on these
spots marked on the map [indicates position].
"They were ultimately stopped and arrested on this spot. [indicates
position. Video then shows Iranian boats approaching British boats.
Voices of coastguards can be heard as saying: "Yes, they are British".]
"Bearing in mind that British naval boats had previously violated
Iranian waters in 2004 and had given commitment in the same year
not to repeat this again, they have been handed over to relevant
officials for further investigation and the issue is being studied."
(Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, Tehran, in Persian 1503
gmt 29 Mar 07, translated by BBC Monitoring.)
Video webcasts of intert
