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UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has renewed his appeal for the early release of the 15 British naval personnel detained in Iran and a de-escalation of rhetoric on both sides in the crisis.

Ban on Monday said he discussed the captive situation with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki last week when the two attended the summit of the Arab League of Nations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

He said the Iranian government was going through a "politically sensitive period" as a result of UN sanctions targeted at its nuclear programme and an escalation of the situation would not be welcome.

"I requested and appealed to (Mottaki) that this issue should be resolved as soon as possible through political and diplomatic consultations," Ban told reporters at UN headquarters. "At the same time, I would hope that this rhetoric should be toned down."

He called for an "early release," saying that the 11-day-old capture of the Britons involved "many issues" and it would be better if Iran freed the sailors quickly before the situation worsens. He did not elaborate.