Blair warns Iran to release sailors

Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair warned Tehran last night of a “different phase” if it did not free 15 British military personnel captured in the Gulf four days ago.

The sailors’ capture and new UN sanctions imposed on Tehran on Saturday over its disputed nuclear programme have stoked tensions between the West and Iran and pushed oil prices to a 2007 high.

Russia and the United Arab Emirates yesterday urged Iran to comply with UN demands that it halt sensitive nuclear work but Tehran says the UN resolution is illegal.