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US frees seven Baghdad Iranians US frees eight Baghdad Iranians
(about 5 hours later)
US forces have released seven Iranians who were detained in a swoop on a hotel in Baghdad, Iraqi officials say. Eight Iranians arrested by US forces in Baghdad have been released, the US military has confirmed.
The men were seized overnight from one of the main hotels in the capital and led away blindfolded and in handcuffs. The US said the Iranians were detained after they had been stopped in the company of Iraqis carrying unauthorised weapons on Tuesday night.
The Iranian embassy in the city said the men were helping rebuild electricity power stations in Iraq. The Iranians were freed after the intervention of the Iraqi government.
The Iraqi government helped secure their release early on Wednesday, a spokesman for Prime Minister Nouri Maliki told the BBC. Iran says the men are energy experts, and the US action was unjustified. A aide to the top US commander in Iraq described the incident as regrettable.
The group was detained at the Sheraton Ishtar Hotel. Video footage showed soldiers leading the men out of the building. Dr Saadi Othman, adviser to Gen David Petraeus, said the US accepted that they were in Iraq on official business with the Iraqi government.
He said the incident had "nothing to do" with US President George W Bush's speech on Tuesday in which he strongly criticised Iran for its alleged interference in Iraq.
Blindfolded
The Iranians and seven Iraqis protecting them were stopped at a checkpoint, the US military says.
It says an AK-47 assault rifle and two pistols were confiscated from the Iraqis. The group was then taken to the Sheraton Ishtar Hotel, where US troops searched the Iranians' rooms, seizing a computer, mobile phones and a briefcase full of money.
The men were also taken away for questioning, with video footage showing soldiers leading them out blindfolded and in handcuffs.
All the Iranians were later handed over to the Iraqi government. Two of the men were found to have diplomatic credentials.
'Murderous activities''Murderous activities'
Other soldiers were seen carrying what appeared to be luggage and a laptop computer bag. The arrests followed a speech by President Bush in which he criticised Iranian interference in Iraq.
The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad said Tehran insisted the men were technicians from the Iranian electricity ministry and had been helping fix a power station in Najaf.
The arrests followed a speech by US President George W Bush in which he criticised Iranian interference in Iraq.
Tensions between the US and Iran are running high - with the US accusing Iran of providing arms, money and military training to Shia insurgents in Iraq.Tensions between the US and Iran are running high - with the US accusing Iran of providing arms, money and military training to Shia insurgents in Iraq.
Iran's actions threaten the security of nations everywhere - we will confront this danger before it is too late US President BushIran's actions threaten the security of nations everywhere - we will confront this danger before it is too late US President Bush
President Bush stated that he had authorised his military commanders in Iraq to confront what he called Iran's "murderous activities" in the country.President Bush stated that he had authorised his military commanders in Iraq to confront what he called Iran's "murderous activities" in the country.
"Iran's actions threaten the security of nations everywhere. We will confront this danger before it is too late," Mr Bush said."Iran's actions threaten the security of nations everywhere. We will confront this danger before it is too late," Mr Bush said.
The president also said the entire region would be under the shadow of a "nuclear holocaust" if Iran developed nuclear weapons. Tehran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful.The president also said the entire region would be under the shadow of a "nuclear holocaust" if Iran developed nuclear weapons. Tehran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful.
Earlier, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said US power in Iraq was on the verge of collapse and this would lead to "a huge vacuum" which Iran would be willing to fill. Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said US power in Iraq was on the verge of collapse and this would lead to "a huge vacuum" which Iran would be willing to fill.
In January, five Iranians - who the US say are linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard and were training militants in Iraq - were captured in the northern city of Irbil. They remain in US custody.In January, five Iranians - who the US say are linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard and were training militants in Iraq - were captured in the northern city of Irbil. They remain in US custody.