Iran now says they will free the British soldiers they detained Monday: Iran Frees British Sailors After Two Days.

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran released eight British sailors it had detained for illegally entering Iranian waters, but said Wednesday it was keeping their three military patrol boats.

“The eight British sailors, including six soldiers and two ranking military officials, have been released,” a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told The Associated Press. She said that while they were no longer detained, the sailors had not yet been handed over to British authorities. She gave no other details.

State-run TV reported that the sailors, who were detained Monday, would leave Iran without the boats and some unspecified equipment.

In London, a Foreign Office spokesman told Press Association soon after word of the release: “As far as we are aware, the Iranians have confirmed to us they will be released later today but we have got no confirmation that they have been released.”