Iran's seizure of 15 British Navy personnel in Iraqi coastal waters last Friday is a hostile act of war that should be condemned by the UN Security Council and by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It was in addition a clear violation of Iraq's national sovereignty that should draw a firm response from the Maliki administration.

Iran must be warned by London and Washington of the political and military consequences that would result from a failure to immediately release the British prisoners. The Iranians must also be told to stop meddling in Iraq, where to all intents and purposes Tehran is waging a proxy war against US, British and Iraqi forces. There is growing evidence that Iranian factories run by the Revolutionary Guard are producing lethal roadside bombs that are killing British soldiers in southern Iraq, and as well as actively financing and training Shia militias. The Iranians have blood on their hands and must be held to account.

This latest act of aggression by the brutal, erratic and highly dangerous regime of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad must not be tolerated. It also makes a mockery of the idea, popular in diplomatic circles that the United State should negotiate with rogue states such as Iran and Syria in bringing about a peaceful solution to the violence in Iraq. There can be no negotiation with terrorist regimes that actively seek the destabilization of the country, and facilitate the killing of Coalition forces. Tehran's bold gambit, designed to intimidate the West at a time of heightening tensions over Iran's nuclear program, must result in a greater sense of resolve on the part of the United States and Great Britain, and both powers should escalate the build-up of naval power in the Persian Gulf. The U.S. already has two carrier battle groups in the area, and Britain has several Royal Navy warships operating in the region. The message should be sent loud and clear to Tehran that actions have consequences, and that the West is prepared to use force both to halt Iran's nuclear program and in retaliation for hostile acts against American, British and other Allied forces.

In addition, London and Washington should call for a strengthening of Security Council resolutions against Iran, to include a complete ban on all arms sales to Tehran, as well as a ban on travel for all officials connected to Iran's nuclear program. There will be intense opposition from Moscow and Beijing, both with huge financial and military interests in Iran, but every effort must be made to give the resolutions more teeth.

On the other hand, Dan Riehl thinks the EU should forget about doing what amounts to making the mullahs go to bed without a snack, and instead get "Medieval" on their a** ... which is explained by the video.