Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

November 21, 2008 4:50:25 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

US Arrests Iranians, Then Admits Error

Posted Aug 29, 07 5:12 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – US soldiers detained 8 envoys from Iran's energy ministry in Baghdad yesterday and held them overnight before admitting it was a mistake, the BBC reports. The men, who were energy experts on an official visit, were released after Iraqi leaders intervened. The US military said they were stopped at a checkpoint when their Iraqi escorts were found to be carrying unauthorized weapons.

They Iranians were then taken to their hotel, where their rooms were searched. AP television showed US soldiers escorting the blindfolded men, their hands bound, from the hotel into military vehicles. The incident follows President Bush's statement yesterday that the US will "confront Tehran's murderous activities" in Iraq; an aide to Gen. Patraeus told the BBC the arrests had "nothing to do" with Bush's comment.

Source BBC

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Mullen Warns Iraq Exit Will Take More Than 2 Years

    Nov 18, 08 1:44 AM CST
    Mullen Warns Iraq Exit Will Take More Than 2 Years The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is "comfortable" with the new US-Iraq security pact scheduling the start of an American troop pullout next year, but believes some major hurdles still exist, the Washington Post reports. Admiral Michael Mullen cautioned that the US has huge amounts of equipment and thousands of troops within the country, and it will likely take up to three years to get everything out of the nation safely.
    More »

  • Iraqi Cabinet Backs US Pullout Pact

    Nov 16, 08 7:31 AM CST
    Iraqi Cabinet Backs US Pullout Pact Iraq’s cabinet has approved a long-debated plan to allow US troops to stay in the country until 2011—three years beyond their UN mandate, Reuters reports. Consideration of the pact now moves to parliament, where it will likely pass, an official said. American troops are scheduled to leave Iraqi towns and villages during 2009 and quit the country altogether in 2011, according to a draft of the agreement. The pact also puts Iraq in charge of the troops for the first time.
    More »

  • 'Sticky Bombs' Spread Fear in Baghdad

    Nov 14, 08 6:00 AM CST
    'Sticky Bombs' Spread Fear in Baghdad Small explosives dubbed "sticky IEDs" are contributing to a growing feeling of unease in Baghdad, the New York Times reports. The fist-sized bombs attached to magnets or adhesives are hard to detect, easy for a furtive bomber to put in place and have become the weapon of choice for militants thwarted by tighter security in their efforts to plant bigger bombs.
    More »

  • US Troop Deaths in Iraq Lowest Since War Began

    Oct 31, 08 4:40 AM CDT
    US Troop Deaths in Iraq Lowest Since War Began October is on course to tie July's record for the lowest number of troop deaths in Iraq, USA Today reports. Thirteen US troops have died so far in October in combat and non-combat incidents. For the first time since the war started in 2002, no US troops died in combat in Baghdad. The US plans to start shifting resources to Afghanistan next month.
    More »

  • Pentagon Will Keep Extending Soldiers' Tours

    Oct 27, 08 8:30 AM CDT
    Pentagon Will Keep Extending Soldiers' Tours Soldiers are likely to face involuntary extensions of combat duty throughout 2009, USA Today reports, despite repeated Pentagon promises to rely less on the practice. Roughly 12,000 soldiers are hit with “stop loss”—which forces them to stay in the Army after their commitment has expired—each month, and that number is likely to remain constant throughout 2009, assuming the demand for troops remains constant. More than 140,000 have been affected since 2002. More »

A U.S. Army soldier opens a checkpoint gate leading to Abu Nawas street in central Baghdad, Iraq on July 24, 2007. For decades Abu Nawas Street was one of Baghdad's most famous landmarks. Now this place,...   (Associated Press)
Iraqi soldiers check drivers' identification at a checkpoint in central Baghdad, Iraq on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007. Iraqi authorities are girding for a major Shiite pilgrimage later this week in Baghdad...   (Associated Press)
Iraqi soldiers search a car at a checkpoint on a major road in the Sadr City neighborhood in Baghdad on Wednesday May 30 2007. Iraqi and U.S. forces conducted raids in the neighborhood in the early morning,...   (Associated Press)
Iraqi soldiers man a checkpoint on a major road in the Sadr City neighborhood in Baghdad on Wednesday May 30 2007. Iraqi and U.S. forces conducted raids in the neighborhood in the early morning, apparently...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

Iraq war • Iran • US military • Baghdad • mistake


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »