Fifteen British Royal Navy sailors have been seized by Iranian navy vessels, officials from the UK's ministry of defence (MoD) have said.

The MoD said it was "urgently" seeking clarification from Tehran regarding Friday's incident and said it had summoned Iran's ambassador in London.

"At approximately 10:30 Iraqi time this morning, 15 British naval personnel, engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters ... were seized by Iranian naval vessels," the MoD said in a statement.

"The British government is demanding the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment."

The Britons were in two inflatable boats from the frigate HMS Cornwall during a "routine smuggling investigation" when they were seized, the US defence deparment said. No US military personnel were detained

Source:Agencies