Fars News Agency, Iran

'U.S. Middleman' Warned Not to Violate Iran's Border

Is the United Kingdom a spent force, intruding across Iran's borders at the behest of its masters in the United States? According to Iran's judiciary-controlled Fars News Agency, "Britain is a defeated and isolated power who is operating as the middleman of the United States."

March 30 2007

Iran - Fars News Agency - Original Article (English)

TEHRAN: The interim leader of Friday Prayers in Tehran, Ahmad Khatami of the Assembly of Experts, called on the U.N. Security Council, European Union and other international bodies not to interfere in the dispute now taking place between Tehran and London, saying that Britain has trespassed over Iran's borders and that the issue must be solved by the two countries alone.

"It's clear that no country can allow any other state to violate its sovereignty. This is an issue between two countries, so no international body such as the United Nations Security Council or the European Union is entitled to interfere. These agencies should know that their interference will only aggravate the problem," Khatami said, while addressing a large congregation assembled to pray on the Tehran University Campus.

He referred to the hue and cry being raised by London over the arrested British Marines, and stressed that the 15 soldiers violated Iranian sovereignty.

The cleric reiterated that British troops had trespassed over Iran's borders several times, and said "according to documents in our possession, these soldiers have extended their apologies several times in regard to this trespass, and have vowed not to repeat such actions in the future."

"All the available evidence shows that British troops entered Iran's territorial waters. There is no doubt that they are trespassers, which is something the British Marines themselves have confessed to," he continued.

Khatami further stated, "Britons should know that the 19th century has passed … today, Britain is a defeated and isolated power who is operating as the middleman of the United States."

"Britain should know that today Iran is … a great and powerful Islamic country that has stood up to the United States (i.e. Britain's master)," he said, adding, "The female Marine was scheduled for release, but after the boastful and arrogant statements of British officials and the invasion of the Iranian consulate in Basra, her freedom has been postponed."

He also warned Britain that if it intends to continue its hostile attitude toward Iran, it will have to pay a heavy price.

"If you decide to trespass over our country's borders - even an inch - then you will have to face the wrathful reaction of Iran's vigilant border guards," the interim leader of Friday Prayers warned.