Iranians released by US forces
US troops in Iraq released seven Iranians hours after detaining them at a central Baghdad hotel, an Iranian Embassy official said today.
The Iranian diplomat said that one of those released contacted the embassy this morning to say that they have been handed to Iraqi authorities.
Late yesterday, American troops raided Baghdad's Sheraton Ishtar hotel and took away a group of about 10 people.
The diplomat said the seven Iranians included an embassy staffer and six members of a delegation from Iran's Electricity Ministry.
"At 7am today (4am Irish time), a member of the delegation called the embassy and said they are now at the prime minister's office," the diplomat said. "The Americans released them. They held them until seven this morning."
