Dénouement

Of the release of the British servicemen in Iran, the Diplomatic Editor of The Times, Richard Beeston, writes with acuity:

Yesterday Tony Blair made it clear to the Iranians that he had two options available to him. One was patient diplomatic negotiations. Failling that he could squeeze Iran internationally, further isolate the country and set the stage for a prolonged conflict.

Amazingly, Iran blinked first and the crisis which threatened to destabilise the region further now looks to be over. The sailors and marines should be home to enjoy Easter with their families.

Indeed. Having in my opinion initially underreacted to this clear case of aggression and lawlessness, the Government has over the past few days said the right thing and secured the only legitimate outcome: the reversal of an act of piracy. It is important that our thankfulness on the captives' release, our pleasure on their return to their families, and our relief on the crisis's peaceful resolution should not obscure narrow considerations of partisan political advantage. Our side won; Iran's puppet-President lost. Good.