Britain says the 15 British navy personnel held by Iran for nearly two weeks have met with Britain's envoy to Iran but have not yet been handed over to British officials.
Britain's Foreign Office says the 15 sailors and marines met late Wednesday with British Ambassador Geoffrey Adams.
Earlier Wednesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the group would be freed as a gift to the British people. Iran's official news agency said the British personnel will leave Iran by plane on Thursday at 8 a.m. local time (0430 GMT).
British Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed Iran's announcement, saying Britain bears no ill will toward the Iranian people.
The White House also welcomed Iran's decision. But U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney told ABC News radio it is unfortunate the Britons were captured in the first place.
Cheney also said there is considerable evidence the British personnel were captured in Iraqi waters.
Iran says the 15 Britons were captured in Iranian waters, a claim that Britain denied.
Britain and Iran have engaged in talks to gain the release of the military personnel, who were captured March 23rd, sparking a diplomatic crisis.
Britain's Foreign Office says the 15 sailors and marines met late Wednesday with British Ambassador Geoffrey Adams.
Earlier Wednesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the group would be freed as a gift to the British people. Iran's official news agency said the British personnel will leave Iran by plane on Thursday at 8 a.m. local time (0430 GMT).
British Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed Iran's announcement, saying Britain bears no ill will toward the Iranian people.
The White House also welcomed Iran's decision. But U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney told ABC News radio it is unfortunate the Britons were captured in the first place.
Cheney also said there is considerable evidence the British personnel were captured in Iraqi waters.
Iran says the 15 Britons were captured in Iranian waters, a claim that Britain denied.
Britain and Iran have engaged in talks to gain the release of the military personnel, who were captured March 23rd, sparking a diplomatic crisis.