Officials: US Is Detaining Iranians Caught In Iraq Raids...

The New York Times JAMES GLANZ and SABRINA TAVERNISE December 24, 2006 11:28 PM

The American military is holding at least four Iranians in Iraq, including men the Bush administration called senior military officials, who were seized in a pair of raids late last week aimed at people suspected of conducting attacks on Iraqi security forces, according to senior Iraqi and American officials in Baghdad and Washington.

The Bush administration made no public announcement of the politically delicate seizure of the Iranians, though in response to specific questions the White House confirmed Sunday that the Iranians were in custody.

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Iran summons US rep over detention of diplomats in Iraq

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Monday December 25, 2006

Washington/Tehran- Iran on Monday summoned the Swiss ambassador, whose country represents the United States interests in the Islamic republic, over the detention of Iranian diplomats by the US military in Iraq, ISNA news agency reported. The Foreign Ministry conveyed its protest to US officials via the Swiss ambassador and termed the move as being against all diplomatic norms.

The US military detained at least four Iranians in Iraq on suspicion of carrying out or planning attacks against Iraqi security forces, the New York Times reported Monday.

The White House confirmed the seizure in response to questions by the newspaper, but did not make an official announcement. Bush administration officials identified those seized as "senior military officials."

"The Iranian diplomats were invited by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and the Iraqi government is therefore responsible for their release and the intruders (US) should give relevant explanations in accordance with international norms," Foreign Minister spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said.

"This move will have unpleasant consequences," the spokesman said without giving further details.

The US has long charged that Shiite-dominated Iran has been interfering in Iraq and supporting militant actions aimed at the Sunni minority that was overthrown with the 2003 ouster of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. >>>cont

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