Iran links Iraqi Defense Ministry to Iranian diplomat's abduction
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Tehran, Feb 6, IRNA
Iran-Iraq-Hosseini
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini on Tuesday linked the abduction of an Iranian diplomat in Baghdad to the Iraqi Defense Ministry, which works under the control of US forces in the country.
The second secretary of the Iranian embassy in Baghdad, Jalal Sharafi, was kidnapped Sunday in front of the Baghdad branch of the Iranian state-owned Bank Melli and brought to an unknown place.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the terrorist act which runs counter to international regulations and the Vienna Convention," Hosseini said.
He called on the Iraqi government to exert utmost effort to obtain the release of the abducted diplomat at the earliest and to severely punish the agents who carried out the act which, he said, harms the joint interests of Iran and Iraq.
He said US behavior and performance in Iraq have led to tensions and "clearly violates all international conventions."
"The US' performance will have adverse consequences on its diplomatic standing in the international community."
"Based on reliable information, certain agents behind the terrorist act have been arrested. They acted under US supervision," Hosseini said.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran considers it a responsibility of US forces in Iraq to protect members of the diplomatic community, including Iranian diplomats, and will hold them responsible for obtaining the release of the abducted Iranian diplomat."
2327/2321/1414
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
