UK awaits details from Iran on access to sailors

London, March 29: Britain is waiting for details on an undertaking by Tehran to grant consular access to 15 British sailors and marines being held in Iran, a Foreign Office spokesman said today.

''We await further details from the Iranian government on their undertaking to act on our request for consular access to the Royal Navy personnel,'' the spokesman said. ''We continue to press strongly for their immediate release.'' The spokesman was responding to reported comments by Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. He was quoted as saying Tehran had accepted Britain's request for access and measures were underway to arrange a meeting with the sailors.

Iran seized the 15 British sailors and marines at sea last week, saying they were inside Iranian waters. Britain say the personnel were in Iraqi waters.

Reuters