Tehran - Iran on Tuesday refused to comment on the arrest of five British citizens after their racing yacht was stopped by the Iranian navy last week en route from Bahrain to Dubai. "Whether the arrest has been made or not and other relevant details are currently under investigation and will be announced in due time," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said.
The British Foreign Office in London confirmed the arrests on Monday, and said the families of the five had been informed that they were safe and well.
It said the yacht, owned by the holiday company Sail Bahrain, might have strayed "inadvertently" into Iranian waters and was stopped by Iranian naval vessels last Wednesday.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the matter had been raised with the Iranian authorities and he hoped it could soon be resolved.
