A new report reveals that the Iranians tried to capture some Aussie sailors back in 2004 -- and the Aussies were having none of it.

The BBC reported earlier today that Iranian naval forces tried to capture the boarding team, but were repelled in the face of machine guns and "highly colourful language".

Quoting a "military source", BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner reported Iranian forces made a concerted attempt to seize a boarding party from the Royal Australian Navy and that the Australians "were having none of it".

"The BBC has been told the Australians re-boarded the vessel they had just searched," Gardner reports, "aimed their machine guns at the approaching Iranians, and warned them to back off, using what was said to be 'highly colourful language'.

"The Iranians withdrew, and the Australians were reportedly lifted off the ship by one of their own helicopters."

Speaking to the ABC today, Gardner said the Australian encounter was similar to that in which 15 Britons were captured in march of this year.

But the result was very different. It says something about the Iranian fighting forces that they were unwilling to sacrifice some of their soldiers to achieve their goals. Of course, it also says something about the Brits who apparently weren't willing to use "colorful language."

Admiral Nelson is probably spinning in his grave.