Kidnapped Iranian diplomat´s fate unknown in Iraq

Source: Xinhuanet | 02-07-2007 16:51

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- The Iranian diplomat's fate, who was kidnapped by gunmen in Baghdad Sunday night, remains unclear, despite Iran confirmed the kidnapping Tuesday and said the gunmen "acted under U.S. supervision," according to media reports Wednesday.

Some 30 gunmen wearing Iraqi army uniforms in more than 10 military vehicles kidnapped Jalal Sharafi, the second secretary of the Iranian embassy, while he was driving through Masbah, near the Baghdad's Karradah neighborhood.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said the gunmen are "linked to the Iraqi Defense Ministry" and the kidnapping "was operated under the supervision of U.S. forces there."

"Iran holds America responsible for the safety and life of the (abducted) diplomat," said Hosseini, "This aggressive action violates the international law and Iran strongly condemns it."

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had ordered to investigate the fate of the diplomat, added Hosseini.

However, the U.S. authorities have denied any role in the matter. "We don't really know a whole lot about it at this point," White House spokesman Tony Snow said on Tuesday. "We know that the Iraqi government is investigating."

The abduction occurred as tension between Iran and the United States is mounting over alleged Iranian support of Shiite faction in Iraq and U.S. efforts to force Tehran to abandon its suspected nuclear weapons program. Iran said it wants to use the technology to generate nuclear power.

This is not the first time Iran's diplomats were kidnapped in recent days. Last month, the U.S. forces in Iraq raided the Iranian consulate in Iraq's northern city of Arbil and arrested five of its staff members, accusing them of supporting Iraqi insurgents to fight with coalition forces. The arrested Iranian are still in custody.

Editor:Du Xiaodan