Ahmadinejad Says British Troops Will Be Freed

TEHRAN, Iran —  Fifteen British sailors and marines seized by Iranian naval personnel have been pardoned and will be freed, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said at a press conference Wednesday, but he vowed his country would not tolerate invasions of its borders by any country.

"I announce that the great people of Iran and the Islamic Republic, even having legal rights to try these military people, in honor of the prophet's birthday, will be freed as a gift to the people of the United Kingdom," Ahmadinejad said in a speech to reporters, clerics and civil servants at a small hall in Tehran.

In response to a reporter's question, Ahmadinejad said the British troops would be freed at the end of the press conference.

In London, the British government welcomed the news. ...

Allahpundit has more here.

In case you didn't stop by yesterday:

• 2007.04.03 Iran/Brit Hostage Crisis Roundup
  • Left-wing British paper recycles three-month-
    old story to blame U.S. for hostage crisis
  • Time Out On US Causing Hostage Crisis
  • Morons Triumphant!
  • Iran releases new pics of captive Brits
  • Deal to release British sailors in the works?

***

A Taste of Things to Come 
Victor Davis Hanson

What is disturbing about the Iranian piracy is that it establishes a warning of what we can come to expect when Iran is nuclear, and how organizations like the UN, the EU, and NATO will react. If a few Iranian terrorists in boats can paralyze an entire nation and the above agencies, think what a half-dozen Iranian nukes will do. This was the hour of Europe to step forward and show the world what it can do with sanctions, embargoes, and boycotts, and how such soft power is as effective as gunboats—and it is passing. ...

Gonna have to do some things differently today due to some medical appointments. I'll try to get back into my normal routine tomorrow.

*** (Just back from 6 hours on the road and two+ at the Marion (IL) VA Medical Center

Did Iran Blink? 
Ed Morrissey

The Iranians apparently caught everyone by surprise when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unexpectedly 'pardoned' the 15 British sailors and Marines they captured in Iraq waters two weeks ago. The Times of London reports that the sudden concession by the mullahcracy springs from a victory of pragmatist factions over hardliners, and that the Iranians saw no benefit from the further isolation a prolonged battle over the detainees would bring: ...

See also: Iran 'Pardons' Captured British Sailors, Marines

***

Brits Pardoned!
Jules Crittenden

Mahmoud the Magnanimous and Merciful says the infidels may go.

The stalwart and brave commander who captured these criminals is decorated!

Does this mean the demonstration is off?  ...

***

Free - But One Last Wait 
Sky News (H/T: JC)

The Foreign Office has said the British ambassador has met the sailors and Marines freed by Iran after their 13-day ordeal - but the 15 are still in Iranian hands.

Although the group has spoken to Geoffrey Adams, a British spokesman said the former captives had not yet been released to the British embassy . ...

Despite the announcements, the Britons were thought to be staying at the Iranian foreign ministry before being handed over to the UK embassy and then flying home. ...

This Old Dog is going to feel a lot better when they're actually under British control.

***

Warm and cuddly Mahmoud
Michelle Malkin

Meet Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, newly-crowned champion of women's rights. Jim Hoft has more feel-good photo-ops. ...