Iran says UN 'exploited' in British sailors row

TEHRAN: Iran on Friday said that the UN Security Council had been exploited in the escalating row with Britain over the detention of 15 British sailors, and defended its capture of the group.

The Security Council had on Thursday expressed "grave concern" at the detention of the 15 who were captured in Gulf waters a week ago, and urged Tehran to allow consular access to the group but.

But the council declined to back Britain with a call for the immediate release of the 14 men and one woman.

"Unfortunately the Security Council was once again exploited by issuing a statement about an affair which is not within the Council's responsibility and is completely bilateral," Iran's mission to the United Nations said in a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency.

It defended the seizure of the Britons last Friday, insisting the sailors "had violated the internationally recognised border between Iran and Iraq."

"Iran had no option but to detain the British sailors to exercise its right to sovereignty and prevent illegal entry into its territory," the statement said.

A prominent hardline cleric also warned Britain over its response to the detention and urged European nations not to interfere.

"Britain will pay a high price if it presses on with its bullying gestures," Ahmad Khatami said in his Friday prayer sermon carried live on state radio.

"They should know that Iran has stood against Britain's master the United States. Britain is nothing."