LONDON — The Pentagon refused to take any further disciplinary action yesterday against the American pilots whose “friendly fire” attack on British tanks in the Iraq war killed a soldier and wounded four others.

Despite the leaking of graphic cockpit video and voice transcript evidence of the 2003 strike, Washington said the officers were cleared in an inquiry held within months. It did not have to re-evaluate its position.

But faced with a p.r. disaster, it agreed officially to hand over the evidence for the inquest into the death of Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull on condition that it was seen only by his family and by the Oxford assistant deputy coroner Andrew Walker. Last week, he called for the footage to be released and requested that American witnesses be called.

The hearing will now learn of the build-up to the attack on four armored vehicles from the Blues and Royals north of Basra.

One of the American pilots says: “I think killing these damn rocket launches, it would be great” followed later by “We’re in jail dude” and a stream of expletives on being told to the deadly error.

The pilots, a lieutenant colonel and a major of the Air National Guard from the 190th Fighter Squadron, based in Boise, Idaho, will not be court-martialed. American officials said the earlier investigation concluded that they were not reckless and had reasonably believed that they were engaging the enemy.

Last night, Major David Small, a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command, said it was “regrettable” that the video was in the public domain, adding that the American military did not object declassifying the tape for the inquest but did not wish everyone to be able to see it because it could help America’s enemies.

He said he would “beg to differ” with the idea the military could have acted sooner, thus preventing the leaking.

Lieutenant Tony Vincelli, a spokesman for the 190th Fighter Squadron, based in Boise, Idaho, said both pilots were still members of the unit.

“They were assigned to the Idaho National Guard prior to the incident, performed their duties, then returned.”

Earlier in the day, Whitehall sources said the leak had caused “serious annoyance” among American officials who had trusted British counterparts with the classified material. The Pentagon threatened legal action against the source of the material.

Defense Secretary Des Browne of Britain welcomed the American release of the tape as the correct way to proceed.

“The release of classified information, even for the closest of allies, is never straightforward, but this is the right thing to do,” he said. “I recognize that this must have been distressing for the Hull family, and I’m glad that we have been able to resolve it.”

A Pentagon spokesman said he could “understand” the frustration of Lance Corporal Hull’s family but said “there was no intent” to try and cover up the incident.

“We were reviewing the tape this weekend after receiving a request from the MoD about releasing it.” The video appeared in the press before they reached a decision.

Geraldine McCool, who represents Lance Corporal Hull’s widow, Susan, said her client was happy that the coroner would now be able to see the evidence.