Sharp words from UK have hardened Tehran's resolve

When Iran's top security official, Ali Larijani, revoked an offer to release Faye Turney while accusing Britain of escalating the crisis, he was living up to his reputation as his country's tough-as-nails nuclear negotiator.

His comments also showed how sharp words uttered in Britain have upped the ante in this crisis while allowing a unity of purpose to grow among Iranian leaders.

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"They have created a lot of noise over diplomatic ties and raised the issue with the UN," Mr Larijani said. "This will not help solve the issue. British leaders are miscalculating the case."

Analysts in Tehran believe the vocal pressure coming from Britain - including fierce criticism in the press - has made it harder for Iranian leaders to back down without appearing to give in to the West. Some reports from insiders suggest the Iranians were preparing to ease tensions on Wednesday, but changed their minds after the tough comments from Tony Blair and Margaret Beckett and the British threat to raise the matter at the UN Security Council.

"The Iranians are saying: 'If you want to play tough, let's do that'," said an analyst who did not want to be named. "They're saying 'we have your guys and you know how to free them - admit you trespassed and apologise'."

Diplomats in Tehran are aware that heightened tensions can complicate matters, but say Iran's leaders have to understand the political pressure that the British Government is under to free their people quickly. Policy watchers suggest the Foreign Office would prefer to take a softer position than that being pushed by Downing Street.

There have been fears that the crisis could be prolonged by infighting between pragmatic figures and hardliners such as the Revolutionary Guards who were responsible for capturing the 15 British sailors and marines. But the comments from Mr Larijani, the most senior official yet to speak about the crisis, suggest the regime is coming together behind a common position.

Although the footage of the captive Britons has provoked outrage in the UK, many Iranians saw it as proof they were being well looked after. Azadeh, 20, a student, said: "The British woman said they were in Iranian waters and they were all eating food and talking together. Why shouldn't I believe they were well treated?"

After previously running low in Iranian news schedules, the story is gaining prominence. That suggests a decision has been made on how to pursue the case. Mr Larijani's comments on the news channel yesterday were followed by a rendition of a popular nationalist song, which analysts say could be bad news for the forces personnel.