15 British naval personnel seized by Iranian navy

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that 15 naval personnel have been seized by Iranian navy vessels at approximately 10:30 Iraqi time today.

British personnel were operating from HMS Cornwall and were engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi waters, the MoD said.

In a statement the MoD demanded the immediate and safe return of the personnel and revealed the Iranian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office.

The release read: "We are urgently pursuing this matter with the Iranian authorities at the highest level and on the instructions of the foreign secretary, the Iranian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office.

"The British Government is demanding the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment.

"The MoD is currently in the process of informing the next-of-kin of the 15 personnel and would strongly urge the privacy of all families involved to be respected at what will be an extremely difficult time."