British captives arrive in London from Iran

April 5, 2007

London, England - Wearing military uniforms and carrying gifts from the Iranian regime, 15 Royal Navy marines and sailors arrived at London's Heathrow Airport Thursday after being held by Iran for nearly two weeks.

Wearing military uniforms and carrying gifts from the Iranian regime, 15 Royal Navy marines and sailors arrived at London's Heathrow Airport Thursday after being held by Iran for nearly two weeks.

The 14 men and one woman arrived at Heathrow Airport shortly after noon (7 a.m. ET) after a six-hour flight from Tehran.

Toting large duffel bags and brightly patterned gift bags, they strolled onto the tarmac -- the sailors wearing blue uniforms and the marines in fatigues -- and briefly lined up for a photo-op.

They then boarded a military helicopter for an hour-long trip to the Royal Air Force base in southwestern England for a debriefing.

Speaking from 10 Downing Street as their British Airways plane touched down, Prime Minister Tony Blair said "we rejoice" at their arrival but noted it comes as the country also mourns the loss of four British troops in Iraq.