Blair warns Iran over British captives

British PM Tony Blair warned Iran over British navy and marine captives today,saying things will enter a "different phase" if diplomatic moves fail.

"These people have to be released," the prime minister told GMTV.

"What we are trying to do at the moment is to pursue this through the diplomatic channels and make the Iranian government understand these people have to be released and that there is absolutely no justification whatever for holding them.

"I hope we manage to get them to realize they have to release them. If not, then this will move into a different phase."

"In the end, it is a question really for the Iranian government as to whether they want to abide by international law or not," he said.

The Iranians will not reveal where the captives are being held and interrogated but claim that they're in good health an dare `being treated humanely'.

"If indeed they are being detained in reasonable circumstances then we can see no reason why they should not have contact with people from the British government," British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said.

Thus far, Iran has not allowed the British Consul in Iran to have access with the captives.