TEHRAN, Iran - Iran confiscated three British military vessels today and arrested eight armed crew members, state television reported.

The three British ships entered Iranian territorial waters not far from the Iran-Iraq border, the Arabic language Al-Alam television reported.

"Iranian forces confiscated the ships and eight military personnel on board," the report said.

The television report said crew members were carrying maps and weapons. It also said the ships were confiscated at about 11 a.m. between the Bahmanshir and Arvand rivers, which would put them in the Shatt-al-Arab waterway east of the Iraqi city of Faw. The broadcast gave no further details.

In London, the Ministry of Defense said it was investigating the report but did not know if it was true.