IRAN DEFIANT, BRITAIN LOSING PATIENCE

Prime Minister Tony Blair stepped up pressure on Iran over the capture of 15 Royal Navy sailors. Iran called Blair’s words “provocative.” Meanwhile the U.S. Navy “began its biggest show of force in the Gulf since the invasion of Iraq four years ago” (Times of London). The New York Times reports that the dispute between Britain and Iran “escalated sharply” on Wednesday. Iran says that Britain must admit sailors and marines trespassed before standoff can end (AP). See the video “confession” of one of the British sailors here.