The British Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirmed on Friday that 15 British naval personnel were seized by Iranian forces.

The incident took place at approximately 10:30 Iraqi time on Friday when the British soldiers were engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters in support of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1723 and the government of Iraq, the MoD said in a statement.

"The UK boarding party had completed a successful inspection of a merchant ship when they and their two boats were surrounded and escorted by Iranian vessels into Iranian territorial waters." said the MoD.

"We are urgently pursuing this matter with the Iranian authorities at the highest level," said the MoD, adding that "on the instructions of the Foreign Secretary, the Iranian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office."

"The British Government is demanding the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment." the MoD said.