Iran confiscates racing yacht and British racing crew.

They were evidently on the way to the Dubai Muscat race.

According to the Daily Mail:

"Members of Sail Bahrain were due to arrive in Dubai on November 26 on board the Kingdom of Bahrain race yacht.

The site says: 'Skippering the Kingdom of Bahrain entry is experienced offshore sailor and Team Director of Sail Bahrain, Nick Crabtree who, along with members of his shore crew, will be joined by Bahrain’s national sailing hero, Sami Kooheji and Captain Peter Gronberg, Managing Director of GAC, one of the largest shipping companies in the region and logistics partner to Sail Bahrain.'

So far the Foreign Office has refused to name any of the crew members being held.

Quiet diplomacy isn't working - and the Brits are having trouble getting their calls returned. Looks like the Iranians are up to their old tricks.

From Sky News:

Five British sailors on a racing yacht have been detained by Iran after they may have inadvertently strayed into its waters.

The vessel, owned by Sail Bahrain and crewed by the British nationals, was stopped by Iranian naval vessels last Wednesday, said the Foreign Office.

The five are still in Iran and all are understood to be safe and well.

Their families have been informed of the incident. The yacht was on its way from Bahrain to Dubai and may have strayed inadvertently into Iranian waters.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband said UK officials "immediately contacted the Iranian authorities in London and in Tehran on 25 November, both to seek clarification and to try and resolve the matter swiftly". He added: "Our ambassador in Tehran has raised the issue with the Iranian Foreign Ministry and we have discussed the matter with the Iranian Embassy in London. "I hope this issue will soon be resolved. We will remain in close touch with the Iranian authorities, as well as the families."

Sky News foreign affairs editor Tim Marshall said: "The Foreign Office has tried to get these people out through quiet diplomacy, and they had some problems. "The Iranians are being hard to contact - and it has been the festival of Eid.

"The actual festival has finished but it's a little bit like the extended Christmas holidays in the Christian calendar and government can shut down for up to 6-10 days.

"The Foreign Office has had problems contacting the right people at the right level."