Region | Iran
Iran receives letter from US officials
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said yesterday that Tehran has received a letter from the United States which sought to resolve a dispute between the two countries.
- AP
- Published: 00:00 January 29, 2007
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Tehran: Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said yesterday that Tehran has received a letter from the United States which sought to resolve a dispute between the two countries.
"There has been a message from American officials," the spokesman, Mohammad Ali Hussaini, told reporters at a press conference in Tehran.
Hussaini did not provide any information on the content of the note, or identify the US officials who sent it, saying only that Tehran was "studying" the note.
"In the message, [they] want to ease the current case, which was unfortunately complicated because of policies of the United States and some other countries' officials," Hussaini said.
Hussaini's wording indicated the case was that of the arrests earlier this month of five Iranians in the northern Iraqi city of Arbil, at an Iranian mission there.
While Tehran has claimed the five, detained by US troops, were diplomats and protested their arrests, Washington contends the men had been connected to an Iranian Revolutionary Guard faction that funds and arms insurgents in Iraq.
Interference
Washington has accused Iran of meddling in Iraqi affairs and contributing technology and bomb-making materials for insurgents to use against US and Iraqi security forces.
This week, the US administration authorised the use of more force against Iranians in Iraq whom US forces believe pose a threat.
Iran denies it has interfered in Iraq or provided weapons to insurgents.
Asked about the detained Iranians, Hussaini said that Iran has been working to secure their release, through contacts with Saudi Arabia and Iraq officials.
"These activities should lead to the release of the five fellows," Hussaini said. He added that Iran would "soon'"appoint a new consul to Arbil.
Iranian media this week reported that five US senators, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph Biden, a Democrat, have sent a letter to Tehran.
Neither Tehran nor Washington confirmed such a note.
Biden last week sent a letter to US President George W. Bush, asking him to explain whether the US administration believes it could attack Iran or Syria without the approval of Congress.
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