Report: Iran releases diplomat jailed 4 months

AP: An Iranian news agency is reporting that authorities have released a veteran Iranian diplomat after nearly four months in prison.
The Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An Iranian news agency is reporting that authorities have released a veteran Iranian diplomat after nearly four months in prison.

The Sunday report by the semi-official ISNA says Bagher Asadi was released based on bail. It remained unclear why authorities detained the 71-year-old Asadi. He is known as a pro-reform figure.

In mid-March, authorities detained Asadi, who previously held a senior position at Iran’s U.N. mission. Asadi is an ally of former pro-reform President Mohammad Khatami.

In May, Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi confirmed the arrest of Asadi, describing the incident as a possible “misunderstanding.”