IRELAND’S AMBASSADOR to Iran will meet Iranian foreign ministry officials in Tehran today to discuss the detention of an Irish sailor seized along with four Britons after their yacht entered Iranian waters last week.
The meeting follows a warning by Tehran that it will take strong action against the sailors if it is proven that they had “bad intentions” when their racing yacht entered Iran’s Persian Gulf waters last Wednesday.
David Bloomer, originally from Malahide, Co Dublin, was on the 60ft Kingdom of Bahrain yacht when it was intercepted by the Iranian navy while en route from Bahrain to Dubai.
Mr Bloomer, a Bahrain-based radio presenter in his early 60s who holds dual British-Irish citizenship, was travelling on a British passport. The Department of Foreign Affairs said it has been in contact with Mr Bloomer’s family in Ireland to provide consular assistance.
The incident has prompted fears of increased tensions between Iran and western powers, including Britain, that have been insisting Iran suspend its controversial nuclear programme.
British foreign secretary David Miliband said yesterday there was “certainly no question of any malicious intent” on the part of the five yachtsmen.
“This is a human story . . . It’s got nothing to do with politics, it’s got nothing to do with the nuclear enrichment programme,” Mr Miliband said. “We are keen this be resolved as soon as possible.”
Britain’s foreign office said it had been urging Tehran since last week to confirm where the sailors are being detained and to allow consular officials access to them.
“The delay in providing a full explanation of what had happened, and clarity on Iranian intentions a matter of increasing concern,” it said in a statement.
Esfandiar Rahim Mashai, head of president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s office, vowed yesterday that Iran will prosecute the five men if they intended to “violate the national security” of the country.
“Naturally, if bad intentions on the part of these individuals are proven, there will be a serious and strong attitude toward them,” Fars news agency quoted Mr Mashai as saying. “The decision will be up to the judiciary, which is independent from the administration.”