Ahmadinejad Orders Release of 15 British Troops

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here on Wednesday issued the required orders for the release of the 15 British troops arrested on March 23rd after trespassing on Iran’s territorial waters. Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday, Ahmadinejad criticized the militaristic policies of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and said all the 15 troops, including 8 sailors and 7 British marines, will be released in a bid to show the Iranians’ Islamic kindness.

He said he has issued the order on the occasion of the birthday anniversary of the Prophet of Islam.

Earlier during the same press conference, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad awarded a third degree medal of courage to the commander of Iran’s southwest coast guards, Captain Abol-Ghassem Amangah.

The decision followed the arrest of 15 British troops by Iranian border guards on march 23rd, 2007 after the 8 British sailors and 7 marines trespassed on Iran’s territorial waters.