It is now emerging what mental and physical anguish the hostages were exposed to. We begin to understand more about the Iranian regime and can start to learn military and diplomatic lessons.
The Iranians seized our lightly armed troops checking merchant shipping in Iraqi waters under a UN mandate. Yet the United Nations response reflected the vested interests of Security Council members, at least two of whom (China and Russia) do not wish to upset their relations with Iran.
The British response to date has correctly been to secure swift release for those taken hostage. This has thankfully succeeded.
But the response of the international community to this provocation will have given the Iranians some comfort in their dispute over nuclear capability. A much more robust response is required through diplomatic channels that such conduct cannot be tolerated.
The blatant manipulation of the hostages by the regime also raises questions for us. Sailors are not trained in counter-interrogation techniques. All who operate in active theatres should be.
The Americans have said their sailors would not have been put at risk in conducting stop and search missions. We take pride in the way our soldiers in southern Iraq have adopted a less confrontational approach on patrol. But if this exposes our marines and sailors to such risks, we must clearly tighten security procedures so it cannot happen again.
This Iranian hostage crisis has had a happy ending this Easter. Let us learn to prevent it happening again.
