The Britain 15

BBC News reported today about British Prime Minister Tony Blair's latest response to Iran over the kidnapping of 15 British Royal Navy personnel.

Efforts to secure the release of 15 Royal Navy personnel held by Iran will enter a "different phase" if diplomatic moves fail, Tony Blair has said.

Downing Street said the UK could end up releasing evidence proving the group had not ventured into Iranian waters.

Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has called for their "speedy return".

And when Britain releases their evidence proving the innocence of their Navy, followed by Iran's declaration that Britain doctored the evidence, then what? Will Blair declare he's "really cross this time"? Will the Brits stomp their feet and wag their finger most seriously? What's left for them in terms of diplomacy?

Not much.

I like this quote from a commenter (BBC News placed it in a sidebar): "The country of Iran needs to have a good long hard look at how this situation will look to the rest of the world " --Gary, UK

The country of Iran doesn't give a rip how this situation looks to the rest of the world. They've already said they want to destroy another country. Why would they care about world opinion over 15 Brits?

It seems to me that Iran is testing the waters. If they make provocative moves like kidnapping British Royal Navy personnel, and nothing much happens, then they'll know the Brits have no more will to fight. I'm sure they already suspected as much, but this event will cement the answer.

And then comes their next move. Bigger. Badder. More provacative.

Followed by more international calls for more diplomacy.