Iran has picked up a racing yacht piloted by five British citizens in the Persian gulf. The yacht might have strayed unintentionally into Iranian waters. The crew members are still being held by Iran and are said to be "in good condition."
The yacht is owned by Sail Bahrain and was stopped by Iranian forces on its' way to Gulf City in Dubai from Bahrain on November 25th. As of yet it is unclear what the crew's status is as far as Iran is concerned. Britain's Foreign Office is maintaining that the yacht "inadvertently strayed into Iranian waters."
So far details have been slow in coming. Nor is it clear how the yacht would have strayed into Iranian waters or why no other yachts were picked up if it is an easy miscalculation.
The yacht is named the "Kingdom of Bahrain" and was taking part in the Dubai Muscat race. The race is 360 miles through the Persian gulf and was set to finish in Omani city of Muscat on November 26th.
In 2007 a British Naval crew of 15 were detained by Iran when they entered Iranian waters. The sailors were later released unharmed as a gesture from the Iranian President Ahmadinejad. Britain did not apologize over the incident.
However as recently as June the Ayatollah spoke against the British as being instrumental in the post election riots that rocked Iran. No doubt both sides are wanting to resolve this situation quickly and quietly following the international furor over Iran's nuclear program.
Written by Seamus Esparza
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