I think Iran is over-doing this, parading the captives and getting them to write letters repeatedly with overt political messages. Does not seem to be genuine pleas by the captives.
Also the recent attacks on UK embassy by the mob is not a good omen. It has the overtones of the earlier American Hostage drama of 1979.
Iran should handle this very carefully. Without going into whether the captives were in Iranian waters or not, it has to be said that 'now that they are held by Iran they should be treated well'.
They should not be used as publicity material and should not be displayed at all, except for assuring the world that they are safe.
And it is Iran's responsibility to find a quick solution and come to a stage so they can release the captives unharmed. They have to trsut the sailors' story that they might have strayed into the Iranian waters accidentally. The point has been made for Iran that they would deal with trespassers. There is the risk of Iran losing the good will of the world and playing into Bush's hands and being painted as the Evil Axis.
Now is the time to be magnanimous and release the captives and get goodwill of the world community. The sailors were no big threat to Iran, so let them go.
The message has been sent to UK and other big powers. Period.
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