Should Iran be "punished" by Britain or the international community for detaining the Royal Marines/Sailors?

Question

If so, how, if not, why not? How can incidents like this be avoided in the future?

Answer 1

Yes, if they don't release their sailors. Sanctions first, then action. Enough is enough.

Answer 2

Iran will continue to pull this kind of stunt until a meaningful resolution is sanctioned by the UN with ALL of the Security Council members standing firm behind it.

However, in reality, this will not happen. The UN is the single most worthless entity on the diplomatic plane. Since the industrialized western world is dependent on Middle Eastern oil, it is at Iran's mercy; unless we can convince other islamic nations in the region to join together to exert pressure. The problem with that is that the extremist islamic fundamentals have already become too big a menace even to those regimes, not to mention a menace in eastern Europe.
Only the moderate Iranians can bring about change IF they can find a way to topple the ruling mullah and the terrorist President that currently is taking their nation to the brink of war.

Yes, war. It's the only thing brutal regimes understand.

Answer 3

Look, you're taking this waaaaay too seriously. Was anybody hurt? no. Was anybiody even threatened? no. What was the outcome? Everrybody had a good time.

If you'll get off your rocking horse - you'll notice that the Brits were treated very, very well and the whole question of who was in to whose territory artfully sidestepped by BOTH sides.

Did it ever occur to you there was a larger purpose to this little PR stunt? No? Well, take it from the beginning. There's an international incident. What would the USA have done? "Evil empire!" and other such inane thumping of chest. What did Iran AND England do? Talked, respectfully to each other. What was the result? Iran makes a "present" to England for Christ and Mohammed. Iran looks cool and England looks effective. USA looks like it needs to wear a red rubber nose.
Pret-ty slick if you ask me. (And you did.)

Answer 4

I do not believe that Iran had any real reason to kidnap-take hostage the British Sailors.
It was a political stunt by Iran to proove to the world once again that the weat really has no balls.
I think something should be done, but I do not feel anything worth while will happen.
The west is becoming "scared" of the radical islamists.
We are getting to politically correct and are loosing our will to stand up for what we believe in...

Answer 5

The very idea of punishment must be erased from modern consciousness, the attitude that one nation has dominion over another, or one form of government has precedent over a different one is sadly outdated.
Balance of power is not an excuse for military action. A political body has no validity on another' s ground. Much could be learned of the study of original Amerindian tribes in pre-colonial times. Rituals and customs facilitate thoughtful forms of conflict management.
Resolution of differences is best left to direct involvement by the opposing parties only. Anytime a superpower gets involved in threatening behavior, disaster ensues.
The UN must distance itself from military hotpoints and encourage political discourse in all cases.

Answer 6

Definitely! The Royal Navy should have blown those Iranians out of the water when they had the chance...they were ordered not to fire. This was an act of War and they need to deal with the consequences whatever that may be. These incidents can be avoided if the international community takes their head out of their @sses and condemns these actions and holds these people accountible. Stop appeasing the terrorists and countries that harbor terrorists!

Answer 7

Should Britain be punished for the crimes it's committed? Should the US? Shouldn't Britain apologize to its soldiers for sending them into Iran's territorial waters, and Iran and the world for attempting to provoke yet another war of aggression and empire?

Answer 8

Blair needs to grow a pair and give the Iranian government a final date for them to return the sailors. If they don't, bomb an government building a day for every day that passes without them giving them back.
Iran kills the sailors? Well then there's no need to keep the president of Iran and the Imams around anymore is it?

Answer 9

I don't know. I say patience. The last time Brits were captured by Iran, they were released unharmed.

Patience is key.

But, as an American, it is funny, that we are detaining hundreds of people from all over the world in Guantanamo, without any rights, but are asking an "axis of evil" country to treat our captured allies better than we do.

THATS FUNNY

Answer 10

No, they should be punished for their continuing their nuclear program and disregarding the UN. This latest issue is just a ploy the Iranian government is using to solidify their power base nationally. That "us vs. them" mindset that their creating should stoke the Iranian moral for at least a few months as they head into some tough times.

Answer 11

Iran has every right to defend its waters, and country. Given the history of America, and Britains, history of self inflicted wounds to start a war, we all need to be careful that we know the whole truth. I will bet anyone money when truth comes out, Iran is telling the truth.