Should UK troops go into Iran to get our boys (and girl) out?

Question

Iran is going to put our folks on "Trial". The outcome is most likely death sentances for them. Surely now we should organise some kind of rescue for them!

Answer 1

In many ways Iran is actually destroying any credability they had and underlining the case that they are simply too much of a rogue state to be allowed to develop a technology that could give them an atomic weapon. It goes even deeper than that - they are already manufacturing uranium products that could be used for a dirty bomb.

For the sake of the kidnapped personnel and for the safety and security of the world - diplomacy must come first.

The most likely outcome if they do not release them soon is heavier sanctions and actions against Iran. Contrarty to what people may think - Iran is not a particularly stable regime and this could tip it either into rejecting the current regime or into civil war. It won't happen quickly but it is a real possibility.

Whilst there is a possibility that the SAS might be used it is unlikely to happen soon. First find where the hostages are. Then recognise that they will be expected and therefore the area will be haevily defended. Then recognise that any rescue would be used by Iran as a powerful propaganda weapon.

Finaly it has to be recognised that the area is the major funnel for oil. The world economy could suffer hugely if conflict broke out.

What we need is good political and diplomatic pressure. It is sad that Russia and a few other countries have yet again put self interest in front of peace and common sense!

If NATO and the UN are not prepared to protect these troops then both organisations should give up any pretence that they have any real effect in the world and disband so that a more meaningful and realistic organisation can replace them!!!

Answer 2

Hi David... The Iranian Government is definitely playing "head" games with Britain. Now the controversy is "Did Britain cross over into the Iranain waters?" Tony Blair states "NO" but then we have the non negotiable Iran that states"Yes". According to one expert, they stated on CNN that "NO" Britain did not cross into Iranians territory but if they did it wasn't intentional due to the fact that the territorial markers are hard to see in the waters. So with this in mind I feel that the Iranian Government is totally wrong holding these 15 marines and soldiers. Now..it's a known fact that Iran doesn't release their captors/prisoners. I'm not so sure what their feelings are on the "death penalty" if one is found guilty. However, our friends (the British) doesn't deserve this type of treatment regardless in my opinion. The Iranian government is "pushing buttons" so do speak. They have literally ignored the new rules/laws passed by the UN for their nuclear program and this took place right before the capture of these British soldiers. So this tells me that Iran is acheing for a fight, whether it's with the US or Britain or both. Now we could embargo Iranians oil shipments until they decide to release the soldiers, this would hurt them since they depend on these shipments BUT this might also trigger some slippery fingers and instead of court for these soldiers, they just might murder them anyway. I don't believe negotiating is an option now since the Iranians have ignored the UN and the US and Britain. So with all these factors in mind, I feel that there is only a few choices left to consider. The first choice I see is the possibility in using our "special" troops both from the US and the British military and send them to Iran to rescue those soldiers or declaring "war" with Iran. Which I feel should be the last resort to anything. Either which way, I feel we are going to lose more men and women in our military troops due to Iran's demands. We will be lucky if we can rescue all these soldiers without severe injury or death. My thoughts and prayers are with them all, and I sincerely hope we can get them back in Peace with no more war. Have a blessed day.

Answer 3

This shoudl be protested at the highest levels of the World and Iran shoudl be put on notice at the UN that this act is a violation of the Geneva Convention and concidered an Act of War and will be responded to in kind. Next I would invoke NATO's and attack on one is an attack on all clause and ask NATO to declare War on Iran in support of this act of aggression. While doing this I would get together a team to retrieve the British Sailors. Talk only means something if it is backed up with action. This does mean the risk of War with Iran, but it is Iran who asked for this by taking Hostages AGAIN. Until Iran is confronted strongly it will continue to violate the Geneva Convention and all forms of civilized world decorem. A show trial of these British Sailors is not to be put up with. Iran has made a mocker of the world with its actions over the past 28 years and has been able to get away without more than a slap on the wrist for it. It is time that the UN and NATO show some backbone and put teeth behind its retoric. If it fails to do so yet again, then the UN will have proven itself, yet again, a paper tiger, a cowardly lion.

Answer 4

Due to Blair's underfunding of the Armed Forces- the armed forces are now critically overstretched and poorly equipped.

We may be able to bomb them and attempt an SAS/Para rescue- but a full scale invasion is not only unfeasible- our armed forces now lack the adequate equipment and manpower to do so.
Any 'war' would be rather minor unfortunately and teh British sailors are most likely held in an extremely secure and unknown location.

As such, we can only hope to use the diplomatic pressure of EU sanctions against Iran- but Blair seems completely unwilling to do anything assist our service personnel.

The services have a very long memory and will remember Labour and New Labour's shabby treatment at the polls- which is why they are switching to the BNP in droves.

Answer 5

We don't need to get the kidnapped personnel out. Just treat them as victims.

I am quite sure that the SAS are already in Iran sorting out good targets in which to direct allied cruise missiles. With the aircraft carriers already exercising in the Gulf supplemented by others they could give short shrift to the Iranians.

The diplomacy side of these issues buys time in which to plan and position the forces needed to punish the Iranians without needing to put a single soldier onto the shores of Iran.

It is only the politicians that complicate these matters.

Answer 6

No, I don't think it would do us any good, but cause more fraught relations. Diplomacy needs to be foremost here otherwise the situation may escalate and turn into something beyond negotiations. I don't believe they were in Iranian waters at all and I have just read that they could be brought to trial by the Iranians. I don't know what Iran is playing at, but I Britain needs to approach this with as much delicacy as they can. It maddens me the way they are parading them on tv and the female looked distressed, the way she smoked, her eyes downcast etc, but launching an offence will not help. I agree they need to be rescued, but with all of them coming home alive.

Answer 7

These soldiers are political prisoners not pows. Iran is just flexing what little muscle it has at the minute .They know that they have to return these personnel,very soon and unharmed, to avoid a major incident. Saying that ,Britain will not invade Iran and they know it .So they can string it out for a while.Iran would not dare put them on trial and the death sentence would not even be contemplated because that would put them up **** creek without a paddle!!

Answer 8

no longer all the inhabitants of Iran needs to be blown up or struggle through in a war that still has no longer been shown that there are or will be bombs. i don't believe of we choose yet another repeat of Iraq. the individuals of Iran are starting up to communicate up by technique of themselves. We and different countries ought to help those protests and they could fix their own complications internally. The sanctions are slowing commerce, intense unemployment, and protests. the overall public of the inhabitants comprehend they're being screwed and choose replace, in the adventure that they have got a civil war then so be it. Then the inhabitants will opt for a sparkling administration, as antagonistic to overseas occupation and in effect a overseas led authorities.

Answer 9

Any rescue attempt would probably result in their immediate execution I am afraid. However, I am from the US and personally support any action the UK takes in securing the release of the personnel and support the participation of US forces should it be necessary.

I think that the UK and US forces should blockade the ports of Iran and prevent any of their oil exports to other countries. Perhaps hurting their oil income would convince them that this is serious and they must stop taking such actions and return the soldiers.

Answer 10

Fifteen people, fifteen different locations plus a hundred or so dummy locations with lookalike prisoners. How are you going to find them, even before you have planned how to actually get them out ?

Realistically pressure can be implied. Advise all UK and US nationals to leave the country without delay and close the British Embassy. Then have a few high powered, low-profile military visits to our friends in Jerusalem, but not so low-profile that they are not observed by Arab secret servicemen. That should get one or two sphincters in Tehran twitching.