While Britain always said that the crew was on a routine mission, Sky News reported that Royal Marine Capt. Chris Air had said in an interview three weeks ago that the crew was gathering intelligence on Iran during their patrols. Defense Ministry officials denied the sailors and marines had an intelligence role, but said they routinely spoke to commanders of vessels using the Persian Gulf and Shatt Al-Arab waterway to determine who is using shipping routes.
http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/04/05/ap/international/d8oamndo1.txt
Now that they are home the truth....
It has emerged that one of the 15 - Royal Marine Captain Chris Air - admitted Britain was gathering intelligence on Iran in the Gulf, which the Ministry of Defence said was "all part of modern operations".
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1313236.0.0.php
http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/04/05/ap/international/d8oamndo1.txt
Now that they are home the truth....
It has emerged that one of the 15 - Royal Marine Captain Chris Air - admitted Britain was gathering intelligence on Iran in the Gulf, which the Ministry of Defence said was "all part of modern operations".
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1313236.0.0.php