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US 'to release' Iranians in Iraq | US 'to release' Iranians in Iraq |
(10 minutes later) | |
The US military in Iraq says it intends to release nine Iranians being held there, including two detained on suspicion of helping Shia militias. | The US military in Iraq says it intends to release nine Iranians being held there, including two detained on suspicion of helping Shia militias. |
They were among five Iranians who Tehran insists are diplomats seized in the Kurdish city of Irbil in January. | They were among five Iranians who Tehran insists are diplomats seized in the Kurdish city of Irbil in January. |
The announcement came as Iran opened two consulates in northern Iraq to improve ties with the Kurdish region. | The announcement came as Iran opened two consulates in northern Iraq to improve ties with the Kurdish region. |
Iran's ambassador said the detention of the five men was an "illegal act against Iraqi sovereignty". | Iran's ambassador said the detention of the five men was an "illegal act against Iraqi sovereignty". |
The Iranian consulate in Irbil was located in the same building that was raided by the US forces in January. | The Iranian consulate in Irbil was located in the same building that was raided by the US forces in January. |
A US military spokesman said the individuals being released were of "no continuing value, nor do they pose a further threat to Iraqi security". | A US military spokesman said the individuals being released were of "no continuing value, nor do they pose a further threat to Iraqi security". |
No details were given about the other seven that the spokesman, Rear Admiral Greg Smith, said would be released "in the near future". | No details were given about the other seven that the spokesman, Rear Admiral Greg Smith, said would be released "in the near future". |
Separately, Rear Adm Smith said five US soldiers were killed in two roadside bomb attacks in Iraq on Monday. | Separately, Rear Adm Smith said five US soldiers were killed in two roadside bomb attacks in Iraq on Monday. |
Washington accuses Tehran of training and supplying Shia militias with weapons and military training used against US soldiers in Iraq. | Washington accuses Tehran of training and supplying Shia militias with weapons and military training used against US soldiers in Iraq. |
Iran denies the charge and blames continued violence on the US-led invasion of the country in 2003 and the presence of US troops. | Iran denies the charge and blames continued violence on the US-led invasion of the country in 2003 and the presence of US troops. |
Also on Monday, the US military said a mass grave had been discovered north-west of Baghdad, containing 22 bodies. | Also on Monday, the US military said a mass grave had been discovered north-west of Baghdad, containing 22 bodies. |
The grave was found by Iraqi troops on Saturday in the Lake Thar Thar region, during an operation targeting al-Qaeda militants. | The grave was found by Iraqi troops on Saturday in the Lake Thar Thar region, during an operation targeting al-Qaeda militants. |
The Iraqi authorities are trying to establish the identities of those found in the grave, and the causes of their deaths. | The Iraqi authorities are trying to establish the identities of those found in the grave, and the causes of their deaths. |