The British Royal Navy has begun a review of the circumstances leading to the capture of 15 of its service personnel by Iran. The Defense Ministry said rules of engagement, procedures, and equipment will be analyzed. The 15 arrived in Britain on April 5 after being held in Iran for two weeks.

The end of the standoff between Britain and Iran still leaves many questions unanswered. Chief among them is why Iran took such a deliberately provocative action as seizing British sailors and marines. As VOA correspondent Gary Thomas reports, many analysts believe the heart of the matter lies in the struggle between Iran and the United States for influence in Iraq and the Middle East.

The British government said it was in direct contact with Iran and examining options for new dialogue over the seized crew of 15 sailors and marines. There were few signs of tensions easing in Iran, where students pelted Britain's embassy with rocks and firecrackers and a television station aired new footage of two captured seamen in front of a map of the Persian Gulf.