Iran today rolled back on a pledge to soon free a British woman sailor, delaying her release because of Britain’s threat to freeze relations and refer the issue to the UN Security Council.

IRAN and Britain stepped up the pressure over 15 detained British soldiers yesterday, with Iranian state TV reporting the Foreign Ministry had protested their ‘illegal’ incursion to the British ambassador.

AN explosion in south Iran, initially reported as caused by a missile, was due to blasting work during the construction of a dam, a senior military officer confirmed yesterday.

Iranian television has shown footage of British royal navy sailors apparently admitting to illegally entering the country’s waters.

IRAN last night ratcheted up the pressure in the growing diplomatic crisis over the detention of the eight British Navy sailors, parading them blindfolded on state-run television.