Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani said Thursday that Tehran may delay the female British sailor's release if Britain takesthe issue to the UN Security Council orfreezes relations.

Larijani made his comments on Iranian state radio.

Britain had asked theSecurity Council to support a call for the immediate release of detainees,saying in a statement they were operating in Iraqi waters under a mandate fromthe Security Council and at the request of Iraq.The issue was expected to be debated Thursday.