London/Tehran, March 24 (IANS) The arrest of 15 British sailors by Iran has triggered diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

The British government demanded the immediate and safe return of its 15 Royal Navy sailors while Iran has condemned what it called the "illegal entry" of British forces into Iranian territorial waters.

The British sailors of a Royal Naval fleet were arrested by Iranian forces in Arvand River in the northern part of the Persian Gulf waters Friday morning.

"Illegal and interventionist entry into Iranian territorial waters by British forces is suspicious and contrary to international rules and regulations, IRNA quoted foreign ministry spokesman, Mohammad-Ali Hosseini, as saying.

The spokesman said that the British officials should make compensation for their "blunders" and refrain from putting the blame on others by "irrelevant interpretations".

The foreign ministry also summoned Britain's ambassador and demanded an explanation from the British government and guarantees that such an incident won't reoccur.

Denying the allegations of illegal infiltration, the Ministry of Defence in Britain said the boarding party of sailors was captured at gunpoint by Iranian warships in Iraqi territorial waters.

"The British Government is demanding the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment," DPA quoted a defence spokesman.

Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett also summoned the Iranian ambassador to the Foreign Office in London.