Blair says no deal done for Iran detainees

LONDON: British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Thursday that no deal had been struck to secure the release of 15 sailors and marines detained for nearly two weeks in Iran.

They were freed "without any deal, without any negotiation, without any side agreement of any nature whatever," he said outside his 10 Downing Street office at the exact moment the detainees touched down at London's Heathrow airport.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claimed on Wednesday that Britain had promised in a letter not to repeat what Tehran says was an incursion into its territorial waters which prompted their detention.

While Blair said he 'rejoiced' at the return of the sailors and marines, he also used his statement to deplore the death of four British soldiers in Iraq, announced moments before the captives' return.

This showed the 'ugly reality' of terrorism in Iraq, Blair said, adding that 'elements' of the Iranian regime were backing terrorism in Iraq.

"Just as we rejoice at the return of our 15 personnel, so today we also grieve and mourn for the loss of our soldiers in Basra who were killed as a result of a terrorist act," he said.

He added that while the crisis had opened up 'new and interesting' lines of communication between Britain and Iran, the international community must remain 'absolutely steadfast' in enforcing its will on Iran, referring to its disputed nuclear programme and alleged support for terrorism.