ran-Sailors-Departure
The 15 British marines and sailors, who had been detained in Iranian territorial waters on March 23, left Iran for their home country, while thanking Iran for their release.

"I am thankful to the Iranian government for releasing me," said the only female sailor, Faye Turney, in the 15-member group of the British marines in an exclusive interview with IRNA upon leaving Iran Thursday morning.

Asked about her feeling as a mother upon departure, Mrs. Turney said she was happy that she would see her baby daughter and family.

She said that while in Iran she and other members of the group had been treated well and humanely by Iran.

"(We have been treated) humanely. They (Iranians) treated us well," said Turney.

Also asked whether she would visit Iran once again after returning home, Turney said, "Under different circumstances yes I would; as a tourist."
Elsewhere in the interview, Turney said she had acquired first hand positive experience on Iran.

Other British sailors and marines, including the 21-year-old Royal Navy Sailor Nathan Summers and their commander, were pleased with Iran's hospitality and thanked Iran for releasing them.

"Very well, very humanely," said Arthur Batchelor, the Royal Navy Operator Maintainer, 20, in response to a question posed by IRNA on how he had been treated.

Felix Carmen, the reporting officer told IRNA that he had a mixed feeling upon departure.

"It's mixed actually; I want to go home; to see my parents; to see them again."
He said that over the last few days he had had good time along with his friends.

"That could be a big shock when we get off the plane and meet our families. That's overwhelming I think."
Asked whether he would visit Iran once again, he said, "I think I would, because we've had a good time. Over the last two days, I'd say, we've had an excellent time."
As for their treatment by Iranian government, he said, "Initially not great. Well we were taken captive. Well ... weapons were involved and these things, but what regards the present time, we found the border guards very friendly."
Royal Navy Simon Massey too said he had an "amazing" feeling upon departure and is willing to visit Iran if possible.

Leading Seaman Christopher Coe said he had good feeling upon leaving.

"Actually it's good to go home. They treated us well." He then thanked Iran for letting them go home.

The British royal servicemen were offered special gifts from the president at the airport before leaving.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pardoned the British marines as a "gift" to the British people.

"Although Iran has the right to prosecute them the marines were pardoned and their freedom was a gift to the British people," Ahmadinejad said at a press conference in Tehran on Wednesday.

The sailors and marines arrived at Tehran's Mahrabad Airport aboard two minibuses escorted by police and were flown back home at 8:00 local time (04:30 GMT) on a scheduled British Airways flight for London.