Iran's ambassador to Russia said his government has begun a legal investigation into its assertion that the British naval personnel violated Iranian waters. Gholam-Reza Ansari was quoted on Russian television as saying the 15 could be punished if convicted. Britain's foreign secretary today called on Iran to resolve the crisis peacefully.

Speaking on the sidelines of an EU summit in Germany, Margaret Beckett said London is continuing to express its willingness to engage in dialogue with Iran. Britain says the naval personnel were in Iraqi waters when they were overwhelmed by a larger force from Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

Tehran says they illegally entered Iranian waters when they were picked up in the disputed Shatt al-Arab waterway between Iran and Iraq. British Prime Minister Tony Blair criticized Tehran for releasing video of the detainees, saying the images only add to people's disgust at their treatment and risked further isolating Tehran. He said their safe release is the only solution to the crisis.

The U.N. Security Council has expressed "grave concern" about the detention, and called for an early resolution to the standoff. After a Friday meeting in Germany, European Union foreign ministers warned Iran that the EU will take "appropriate measures" if the 15 are not released immediately. The ministers said all evidence indicates the British service members were in Iraqi waters, and that their detention violates international law. - VOA News