By Andrew L. Jaffee

I’m glad the British hostages are being released, but I’m surprised because of President Ahmadinejad’s bellicose anti-Semitic and anti-Western rhetoric. Sure would’ve liked to have been a fly on the wall during Iranian government meetings to make the decision to free the Brits. Was the release an “extraordinary theatrical gesture,” a “face-saving compromise,” or because a “kidnapped [Iranian] diplomat was released on Tuesday”…? Or did Britain make a few threats through a third party? Hmmm…

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says 15 British naval personnel captured in the Gulf are free to leave.

He repeated Iran’s view that the British sailors and marines “invaded” Iranian waters, but said they were being released as a “gift” to Britain.