Is Iran's attack on Britains navy an act of war?

Question

Is the British Army, and its allies now entitled to react with force upon Iran, in order to defend themselves?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070323/ap_on_re_eu/british_seized_iran

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They are not claiming Britain invaded their waters (from what I have read). The yahoo story mentions a 2004 incident where that occurred.

Answer 1

No and it wasn't an attack...we don't know for sure if the Brits were in Iraq waters when they were kidnapped...And if the soldiers were in Iranian waters,then Iran has all the right to be angry over it and capture the soldiers...
Anyway for now we should just wait and see exactly what happened and where the soldiers were...We should wait and see what Iran has to say about it,because until now they haven't made any official comment about the incident...

Answer 2

Assuming the report that the attack took place outside Iranian territorial waters, yes. Under international law, this is a clear-cut act of war.

What Britain chooses to do about it is another matter. I think they willl give Iran a chance to release their sailors. And probably, Iran will do so. If they don't. . . the last time someone pulled a stunt like this was the "Falklands War" in the '80s. And Iran has about as much chance against the Royal Navy as Argentina had.

Answer 3

If in deed it was in Iraqi Territory I would say yes it is an act of war, now expect an escalation it tension between Iran and the Allied Forces in the Mideast area. I don't think Iran can do it again without being fired upon first. Such as during Desert Storm they were doing the same thing just to make things difficult. Once the States started firing back they put their tails between there legs and ran. If they want a war they certainly are doing it the right way.

Answer 4

I wouldn't classify Iran's actions as an attack, and in fact since they claim Britain invaded their waters, you could consider it a British invasion. At the end of the article, you'll read that this happened once before, and the sailors were released 3 days later. I have a feeling something similar will happen again...

Answer 5

When the facts come out it will be known that the British soldiers were in Iranian waters but by then a full fledged war with Iran will have started and there will be nothing we can do. How does it feel to have the wool pulled over your eyes again and be lead to war under false pretenses.

Answer 6

You use the term "entitled to react with force" and that says a lot! Think on it as a kind of invitation. To do what you ask about is precisely what iran wants/needs.

I posted to another, similar, Q about this. It would seem to be the apparent plan. And we shall all play right along!

Answer 7

of direction they are being compelled to declare that they entered Iranian territory. examine their physique language, verify out their faces, pay attention to them talk. those sailors don't have faith a ingredient they are asserting in Iran's movies. there's a distinction between the Iranians we are retaining in Iraq and the British sailors. The Iranians we are retaining have been in Iraq while they have been captured, the British sailors weren't in Iranian waters in accordance to GPS records released via the British government and the fact made via the deliver the sailors have been finding on the time. To the final of my awareness, American troops do not flow away Iraq and enter Iran for the point of taking pictures Iranians. The Iranians did flow away Iran to seize the sailors.

Answer 8

When the Britains were arrested, they were controling iranian commercial boats, I don't know if the incident took place in Irak or in Iran, but clearly it wasn't in England !! so maybe the Irak government can decide if it is an act of war, but not UK ;o)

Answer 9

England did not invade Iranian waters. They were on the Iraqi side. Yes, it can be considered to be an act of war although England Will never take it that far.I will be resolved amicably. Iraq, stupid *** country that it is is merely flexing its feeble muscles.

Answer 10

Since they took the British sailors in Iraqi waters it is a clear sign that they are indeed escalating tensions. If they do not immediately return the captured sailors it certainly can be viewed as an act of war.