Captives tell their story about Iran

CNN:

The 15 British military personnel captured by Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf were subjected to "psychological pressure" and kept in isolation during their detention, the group's officers said on Friday.

Lt. Felix Carman of the British Royal Navy, addressing a news conference at a military base in Chivenor, southwestern England, said the sailors and marines were 1.7 nautical miles from Iranian waters when the incident occurred -- despite previous statements to the contrary while in Iranian custody.

The sailors and marines, who were seized from patrol boats on March 23, returned to the UK on Thursday after 13 days in Iranian captivity.

Lt. Carman said they were kept in isolation, interrogated and blindfolded and subjected to "aggressive questioning and rough handling."

Members of the group had been presented with two options, said Lt. Carman: To admit having strayed into Iranian waters or face up to seven years in prison in Iran.

Capt. Christopher Air of the British Royal Marines said they had "feared the worst" during their captivity. "There was a lot of trickery and mind games being played," he said.

Several of the captives appeared on Iranian state television during their detention to apologize for their actions. They were also filmed meeting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and receiving gifts prior to their return to the UK.

Faye Turney, the one woman among the captives, had been singled out and "used as a propaganda tool," Carman said.

Air praised Turney for maintaining her dignity. He said she had been told the rest of the group had returned home and she was the only one still being held.

Air said a "conscious decision" had been taken not to engage the Iranians who took them captive.

"It was clear they arrived with a planned intent," said Air. "Had we resisted there would have been a mighty fight that we could not have won."

Able Seaman Arthur Batchelor said the 15's treatment by the Iranians had been "humane" but they had not been allowed to communicate with each other.

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At some point they were shown together having a good time eating and chatting. While they explain the difficulty of their ordeal, it is not clear why they did not hold up better and resist the Iranian propaganda. In the mean time, it appears that the Brits will no longer board and inspect ships in the Persian Gulf. That is a clear win for the enemy.