I’d also like to point out several things: firstly royal navy sailors are not drilled in counter-interrogation techniques, only the royal marines would have received any training on this. Secondly, it is very rare for naval personnel (with the exception of the embarked marines) to even come within visual range of enemy combatents. Taking this and the fact the mission was a routine boarding that had been carried out time and time again without major incident it is hardly surprising they were caught out. Any good commander knows that their team must have the right mental attitude for the job. As they were on peacekeeping operations those 15 would not have been in the same frame of mind as say the troops that invaded Iraq in 2003. The “anything in my line of sight is fair game” thinking that typifies invasion forces is not suitable for a peacekeeping operation. Let’s give these people and the other armed forces out there that are doing a a very good job despite being constrained by the need to avoid an escalation in conflict the respect and gratitude they deserve.

Obviously, the Navy leadership and training is incompetent and and should be revamped immediately. Otherwise, I suggest handing over the nation to Iran and praise Allah!!