Tehran puts off planned release of woman captive

London: Britain sought international help to isolate Iran yesterday in a standoff over the capture of 15 military personnel in the Gulf and Iran responded by putting off the planned release of a woman captive.

Iran's decision appeared to indicate no speedy end to the dispute which has stoked Middle East tensions, already heightened over concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions, and sent shockwaves through the oil market.

Britain insists its 15 sailors and marines were seized last week in Iraqi waters and has published what it says is proof from a global positioning system readout.

An Iranian naval official was quoted by Irna news agency as saying the Britons' boats entered Iranian territory several times before they were seized and Iran had film to prove it.

Wrong behaviour

"The release of a female British soldier has been suspended," Iran's Mehr news agency quoted military commander Alireza Afshar as saying. "The wrong behaviour of those who live in London caused the suspension."

Oil prices remained near six-month highs on concerns that any escalation could hit crucial oil supplies from the Gulf.

The United Nations hit Iran with sanctions at the weekend over its nuclear programme. Washington and London also blame Iran for backing insurgents battling their forces in Iraq.

"With the excuse of controlling ships that go to Iraq, they want to make it a norm to violate other countries' sovereignty," Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said on state television. "But they should know that the cost of this is not cheap."

Britain is seeking approval from the UN Security Council for a statement deploring the detention of the sailors and government sources said Britain would discuss practical measures at an EU foreign ministers' meeting this weekend.