Iran Protests U.S. Detentions in Iraq

[seemslikeadream]

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/29/ap4064374.html

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran on Wednesday summoned the Swiss diplomat representing American interests here to protest the U.S. forces' detention in Baghdad of eight Iranians, including two diplomats, the Foreign Ministry said.

The U.S. military said it released the Iranian delegation on Wednesday, just hours after they were detained because unauthorized weapons were found in their cars. An adviser to the top U.S. general in Iraq called the detentions "regrettable."

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said the U.S. action was an act of "interference" in Iraq's internal affairs and "inconsistent" with the responsibilities of U.S.-led occupation forces in Iraq.

Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the charge d'affaires at the Swiss Embassy over the "illegal" detention of members of an Iranian Energy Ministry delegation, state-run television reported.

Switzerland looks after the U.S. interests in Tehran in the absence of formal diplomatic relations between Tehran and Washington