Iraqi President Says Captured Iranian Diplomats Were Invited

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani claims that two Iranian diplomats detained in raids targeting Iranians plotting attacks against Iraqi security forces were invited to Iraq.

From the Khaleej Times:

BAGHDAD - Iraq’s president protested on Monday against the arrest by US forces in Iraq of two Iranian diplomats who US officials said were seized in raids against Iranians suspected of planning attacks on Iraqi security forces.

Iran said the diplomats had been invited by the Iraqi government and warned their detention would “provoke unpleasant repercussions”, a local Iraqi news agency said.

“Two Iranian diplomats were detained by the Americans,” said Hiwa Othman, media adviser for Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

The earlier report stated that the Iranian diplomats had been turned over to the Iraqi government, which released them. Two Iranian "senior military officials" remain in custody.

It would surprise no one, other than Talabani, if the Iranian "diplomats" were plotting illegal acts in Iraq. This is, after all, the backward and barbaric regime responsible for the 444-day Iranian hostage crisis in which more than 60 American diplomats were taken hostage and tortured by Muslim students working at the behest of the Iranian government.