AP: Iran said Sunday it has received some signals concerning the possible release of five Iranian diplomats held by the U.S. in Iraq, state television reported. Associated Press
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iran said Sunday it has received some signals concerning the possible release of five Iranian diplomats held by the U.S. in Iraq, state television reported.
“We have recently received some indications over releasing them,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said.
He did not elaborate or explain what kind of signals Iran had received.
“We are hopeful the diplomats will be released quickly,” he added. “We consider the Iraqi government responsible for their release.”
On Thursday, Iran indicated it may boycott the upcoming Iraq conference in Egypt if five Iranian diplomats held by the U.S. in Iraq were not released beforehand.
Mottaki has warned Iraq that the continued detention of its diplomats could damage its relationship with neighboring Iran.
The U.S. detained the five Iranians in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil in January and have refused to release them or allow Iranian officials a chance to visit the men. Washington has accused Iran of providing money and weapons to Shiite militias in Iraq, charges Iran denies.
