Ultimatum Issued to Iran

Washington, DC (TLS). As the U.S. Navy continued to build up its presence in the Persian Gulf and U.S. ground troops began to gather at the Iran-Iraq border, British Prime Minister Tony Blair issued Iran an ultimatum--either release the British soldiers or else.

Meanwhile, Iran violated the terms of the Geneva Conventions by releasing a video of the British hostages, who were taken in Iraqi waters off the coast of Kuwait.

Under obvious duress, the lone female soldier in the group stated that all of the hostages were being treated with 'compassion.' She also stated that she had 'apparently' wandered into Iranian waters.

Satellite information disputes that claim, however.

British officials have produced satellite images that show that the soldiers were clearly in Iraqi waters. The officials further maintain that everything contained in the video made by Iran is suspect, due to the nature of a hostage situation during which the victims, under the fear of retribution, will often state only what pleases their captors.

As tensions continue to grow in the Gulf, the U.S. and Great Britain move closer to a showdown with Iran. It is time the Americans and the Brits show Iran and the entire Middle East that we will not tolerate this behavior, nor will we allow rogue nations to build nuclear weapons.