GEORGE BUSH

As the Bush administration hailed the release of the 15 British sailors and marines, Washington signalled its readiness to talk to Iran directly over the Iraq crisis. But it dismissed suggestions of an impending quid pro quo release of the five Iranians being held by US forces in northern Iraq.

The US was considering a request from Iran for consular access to the five, said Sean McCormack, the State Department spokesman. But "there's no inclination to let them go", Robert Gates, the Defence Secretary, told reporters.

At the White House, officials insisted that the US was not involved in the resolution of the crisis, which had been settled between London and Tehran. Indeed, from the outset Mr Bush has kept a low profile. That approach contrasts with his handling of the nuclear stand-off with Iran, where he insists that every option, including the military one, is "on the table" to prevent Tehran acquiring a nuclear weapon. Almost certainly by no co-incidence, the British sailors were captured as the UN Security Council prepared to pass the tougher sanctions. Since then the nuclear stalemate has been virtually forgotten.

The hope now in Washington is that the surprise release of the 15 would lead to a change of heart by the Iranian leadership on the nuclear issue as well. But Mr Gates said there were still "many unknowns" in why they were released.

The unexpectedly speedy end to the crisis may bolster those who believe negotiation, not confrontation, is the way to deal with Iran. Yet rumours persist, despite official denials here, that the US plans military strikes by the end of this month to destroy Iranian nuclear installations.

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