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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Iranian TV: Captured US Hikers Are CIA Spies

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(Newser) – The three American hikers nabbed by Iranian authorities after allegedly crossing the border from Iraq were actually spies, an Iranian TV report claims. The Tehran-based station quotes an Iraqi policeman as saying the three were “working with the CIA.” Hillary Clinton meanwhile asked the Iranian government today for more information on the hikers, asking that they “return them as quickly as possible.”

“Obviously we are concerned,” she said. “As of a few hours ago, we did not yet have official confirmation that” the Americans were in custody. According to ABC News, the detainees include two writers and an environmental worker. Another American who fatefully skipped the hike when he fell ill with a cold, is a fluent Arabic speaker pursuing a PhD in linguistics. The area where the three were hiking is said to be a popular destination—their abandoned gear was found near a picturesque waterfall.

Map locates Halabja, Iraq, where US tourists last reported hiking.
Map locates Halabja, Iraq, where US tourists last reported hiking.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivers a speech in a meeting in the northeastern city of Mashhad, Iran, July 31, 2009.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivers a speech in a meeting in the northeastern city of Mashhad, Iran, July 31, 2009.   (AP Photo/ISNA,Amin Khosroshahi)
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18 comments
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tameesha_sharpton
Aug 3, 09 1:08 PM CDT
any civilian foolish enough to even get close to that country does so at their own peril. Reply
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+10
IN RESPONSE:
UrUndertaker
Aug 3, 09 1:19 PM CDT
Damn well my choice of a vacation spot and all they have accomplished is to give a mad man something to dangle in front of his populace and say "see? I told you the West was out to destroy us!!!" And the masses will follow along diligently as the great evil from the West is killed
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+5
IN RESPONSE:
Spudsy
Aug 3, 09 6:44 PM CDT
Agreed. These 3 are either spies or idiots. Please don't send them back. I have friends like this that visit super dangerous places so they can brag about it at parties. They will whine like babies on fire when they get captured or hurt and expect my tax money to save them.
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0
mickey61988
Aug 3, 09 1:24 PM CDT
I'm sick of Iran this, Iran that ! 1 strategically placed missile every hour until the captives are released. I'm aware that this will never happen but damn wouldn't it be nice to bust their butt just once. Reply
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
Reader38
Aug 3, 09 1:50 PM CDT
How long do you think we'd hold 3 Iranians who just happenned to stumble over the border on a hiking trip?
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+2

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