( IRNA ) - Iran's Acting Ambassador to Ankara Gholam Reza Baqeri Moqaddam said here Friday night that an apology from the the British government for the unauthorized entry into Iranian territorial waters of 15 of its navy personnel will facilitate their release.
Baqeri Moqaddam was spoke to CNN Turk news channel on the ongoing dispute over the arrest of 15 British marines by Iranian forces in Arvand Roud River in the northern part of the Persian Gulf on March 23.
"What they should do is clear. The UK should admit that it has breached Iran's territorial waters and apologize for this breach as this will help settle the case.
"Otherwise, an expert body should be set up to investigate the opposing claims and whose decisions the two sides should accept in deciding their dispute," he said.
He said that Tehran "was ready to free the lone woman sailor to show its goodwill but unfortunately a mistake by Britain has delayed her release."
The Iranian diplomat, who expressed regret over the negative attitude of British officials which has created obstacles to resolving the case, praised Turkey's efforts to achieve a positive outcome.