April 04, 2007	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 15, 1428

TEHRAN, April 3: Iran said on Monday it wanted to resolve the row over 15 British sailors and marines seized in the Gulf through diplomacy and there was no need for a trial.

“This issue can be resolved and there is no need for any trial,” Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, told Britain’s Channel 4 News television.

“There should be a delegation to review the case ... to clarify whether they have been in our territorial waters or not. Through sensationalism you cannot solve the problem,” he said in a interview from Tehran, speaking through a translator.

Britain’s approach, which included seeking UN and European Union backing to isolate Iran, had been strongly criticised by Tehran during the stand-off.

“There is a difference of view between the UK government and the Iranian government. This issue should be resolved bilaterally,” Larijani said. “A guarantee must be given that such violations would not be repeated.”

Britain also said it wanted to solve the crisis through diplomacy. “We are still studying Dr Larijani’s remarks. There remain some differences between us, but we can confirm we share his preference for early bilateral discussions to find a diplomatic solution to this problem,” a Foreign Office spokeswoman said“We will be following up with the Iranian authorities tomorrow, given our shared desire to make early progress.”.

—Reuters