( IRNA ) - A parliamentarian here Thursday referred to Iran's move to release 15 British marines who illegally entered Iranian territorial waters on March 23 as a sign of the country's dignity, wisdom and expediency.
Talking to IRNA, head of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, stressed that Iran's message to the foreign powers present in the region is that the Islamic Republic decisively stands up to any kind of border violation and vehemently defends its national interests and territorial integrity.
He assessed Iran's decision to free the 15 British marines as a decisive and appropriate act that was in line with the country's national power.
The Islamic Republic of Iran maintains its logical stand despite all international pressures including the recent resolution issued by the UN Security Council against Iran's peaceful nuclear program, the MP added.
He reiterated that all arrested British naval marines as well as the British government had confessed to having violated Iran's territorial waters.
By taking logical and powerful decision and releasing the arrested British marines, Tehran prevented creation of a serious crisis, Boroujerdi stressed.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced the release of the arrested British marines at a news conference Wednesday, saying it was a present from the Iranian nation.
The amnesty was granted on the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the upcoming Christian Easter fest.
Based on information obtained from the British Global Positioning System (GPS), the British servicemen trespassed into Iran's territorial waters on the Arvand River aboard two navy vessels on March 23.