Hopes grow for Iran solution

Hopes are growing for a breakthrough in the Navy hostage crisis as it enters its 13th day.Prime Minister Tony Blair maintains Britain and Iran want an "early resolution" and Downing Street confirmed there had been more discussions with senior officials from Tehran.A spokeswoman said: "There have been further contacts between the United Kingdom and Iran, including directly with chief negotiator Dr Ali Larijani."On the basis of these, the Prime Minister believes that both sides share a desire for an early resolution of this issue through direct talks."The Prime Minister remains committed to resolving this by diplomatic means."The UK has proposed direct bilateral discussions and awaits an Iranian response on when these can begin."The positive signals emerged just hours after Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett sought to play down the chances of an early end to the crisis.As Iran issued more pictures of the captured personnel, Mrs Beckett said the Government was still waiting for a response to a formal note it delivered last week to the Foreign Ministry in Tehran.Despite earlier comments from Mr Blair that the next 48 hours would be "critical" in determining whether there could be a diplomatic solution, Mrs Beckett insisted the Government was not expecting to see them released within that time."I would urge you to be cautious in assuming that we are likely to see a swift resolution to this issue," she said.© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

ITN | April 4, 2007