Iranian Diplomat Released, A Positive First Step?

Iranian diplomat seized in Iraq released

www.chron.com

TEHRAN, Iran — An Iranian diplomat seized two months ago in Iraq has been released, Iran's official news agency reported Tuesday, citing informed sources in Tehran.

Jalal Sharafi, the second secretary at the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad, will return to the Iranian capital later Tuesday, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

The report gave no indication of why or how Sharafi had been freed.

(visit the link for the full news article)


Related ATS Threads

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Is The War With Iran Now Starting?
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edit:added links to ATS threads, adjust title

[edit on 2007/4/3 by JacKatMtn]

Could this be the first step towards getting thew UK troops released?

www.chron.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Nice catch. The plot thickens.

There's a lot of quid pro quo going on lately. First Hicks getting released *just* in time to nullify it as an issue in the upcoming Australian federal election. Now this Iranian diplomat is released and Iran softens it's tone and drops the threat of putting the 15 British soldiers on trial.

The American's look like they're repaying quite a few political favours lately.

Originally posted by subz
Nice catch. The plot thickens.

There's a lot of quid pro quo going on lately. First Hicks getting released *just* in time to nullify it as an issue in the upcoming Australian federal election. Now this Iranian diplomat is released and Iran softens it's tone and drops the threat of putting the 15 British soldiers on trial.

The American's look like they're repaying quite a few political favours lately.

I agree, Hicks coming home is perfect for Howard, especially being he's looking bad in the Polls.
Have the US dealt with Iran over the British prisoners? or is this just a co-incidence?

A Unamed Iraqi Official Minister is trying to link, the two, detainess held by the US, and the Detainess held in Iran. He as also said he is seeking the release those Iranian Detainees, from US hands.

Have not had any responce from the UK gov as of yet, Knows the foreign office, is trying find out exactly, where I ran stands as of now, Agress though there is still some differences from where each other stands over this issue.

Wonder what the US Gov will say about this.

Fox News reported the release and their discussion was about a deal in the works for basicly getting back the Iranians in US custody in exchange for the UK captives, along with an apology from the UK.

Sounds like they are trying very hard to avoid a conflict but at least releasing one diplomat is a first step.

Maybe Iran will release the UK female first as a show of cooperation.....

Reuters now reporting the release:

Report says kidnapped Iranian diplomat freed

U.S. forces in Iraq have arrested a number of Iranians, including diplomats, in the past and are still holding five.

Iran's official IRNA news agency said the Iraqi government was working to secure the release of the five Iranians.

"IRNA's reporter quoting Iraqi government sources said contacts have been going on for the release of the kidnapped Iranian diplomats," it said without giving more details.

Something is up, Iran's President Ahmadinejad cancelled a press conference today, I wonder if it could have anything to do with the British forces bishop letter to Supreme leader Khameini last night you can read it here:

Bishop of Forces appeals to Ayatollah Khameni for release of captured Navy personnel

Who is running Iran Ahmadinejad or Khameini?

Or could it be possibly tied to this news from yesterday:

Former FBI Agent on Private Business in Iran Missing

[edit on 2007/4/3 by JacKatMtn]

Originally posted by JacKatMtn
Who is running Iran Ahmadinejad or Khameini?

Khameini is running Iran without a doubt. Ahmadinejad is merely a spokesman, granted he's fiery and impetuous, but he's just the spokesman for the mullahs.

Iraq confirms release, diplomat in Iran:

Iraq confirms kidnapped Iranian diplomat freed

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's foreign minister confirmed on Tuesday that an Iranian diplomat kidnapped in Baghdad two months ago had been released.

"I can confirm that he has been freed and is in good health," Hoshiyar Zebari told Reuters.

[edit on 2007/4/3 by JacKatMtn]

Fast and furious news going on right now here's a CNN piece on Iraq pressing the US to release the 5 Iranians to aid in the relase of the UK Marines:

Iraq pressing U.S. to release detained Iranians

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- A senior Iraqi Foreign Ministry official said on Tuesday that the government was "intensively" seeking release of five Iranians detained by the U.S. military more than two months ago in northern Iraq.

"We are intensively seeking the release of the five Iranians," the senior official said.

"This will be a factor that will help in the release of the British sailors and marines" held by Iran since March 25. (Watch signs Iran may be looking for way out of standoff )

The official also said that the Iraqi government had exerted pressure on those holding an Iranian diplomat, who was released Monday and returned to Tehran on Tuesday. The official would not say who had held the diplomat.

[edit on 2007/4/3 by JacKatMtn]

President Bush asked about freeing the five Iranian's to help gain the release of the UK captives, he responded less than warmly and reiterated there will be "no quid pro quo" not quite sure if this is how it is written but I hope you get the point --source Fox news TV broadcast of press conference.

[edit on 2007/4/3 by JacKatMtn]

You guys do realise that the Iranian "diplomat" that was released was not held by either the US, UK or Iraq. He was kidnapped two months ago by terrorist elements in Iraq and was held hostage by them, they now have apparently decided to release him, for whatever reason. This is unrelated to the five or so Iranian personnel held by the US Military

Originally posted by WestPoint23
You guys do realise that the Iranian "diplomat" that was released was not held by either the US, UK or Iraq. He was kidnapped two months ago by terrorist elements in Iraq and was held hostage by them..

I don't think it was that simple:

The Iraqi official also said Iraq had exerted pressure on those holding the Iranian diplomat, Jalal Sharafi, who was released Monday and returned to Tehran on Tuesday. The official would not say who had held the diplomat.

A senior government official, however, said Iraqi intelligence had held the Iranian diplomat. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

--from the article linked in the OP

I also found it interesting what the Iraqi foreign minister said:

LINK

Asked who had snatched the diplomat, Zebari said: "Only he knows who was holding him."

[edit on 2007/4/3 by JacKatMtn]

What did you expect the author of the article to say?

www.promopress.com...

NAME: Nasser Karimi

BASED IN: Tehran , Iran

NATIONALITY: Iranian