Berlin, March 24 (DPA) The German EU presidency Saturday called on the Iranian government to release immediately 15 British sailors seized by Iranian forces in disputed waters near Iraq.

The European Union would underline its position in a statement to be issued later in the day, German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier said in Berlin.

The 15 servicemen were detained Friday after inspecting a vessel in the Gulf. Iran claimed they had violated its territorial waters, but Britain said they were in international waters and demanded their release.

The German foreign minister also said he was hopeful that the UN Security Council would be able to agree this weekend on a resolution tightening sanctions against Teheran.

He said talks were under way with five non-permanent members of the Security Council who were not happy with the wording of the resolution. The five permanent members were in agreement, he added.

The Security Council was due to meet later Saturday to discuss the draft, which is designed to force Iran to halt its nuclear programme which Western countries believe is geared to making weapons.