BBC: Iran envoy 'abducted in Baghdad'

[Horse with no Name]

This is what happens when our credibility is shredded. Nobody believes us.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6334439.stm

>>>>snip
An Iranian diplomat has been kidnapped by gunmen in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, Tehran has confirmed.

Jalal Sharafi, the embassy's second secretary, was abducted from his car on Sunday in central Karrada district by men wearing Iraqi army uniforms.

Iran condemned the kidnapping and said it held the US responsible for his life. A US military spokesman said no US or Iraqi troops were involved.

>>>>snip
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini told the Isna news agency that Mr Sharafi had been kidnapped by a group linked to Iraq's defence ministry "which works under the supervision of American forces".

[babylonsister]

1. I don't believe us, why should anyone else?

This admin is egging the Iranians on, hoping they'll start something.

[Horse with no Name]

2. Yep. And the entire world knows it. n/t

[BlueJac]

3. BushCo....

Can not be trusted!

[haymark]

4. I'm not sure I believe the Iranians

US millitary might be fudging. Maybe the Iranians are too.

[RaleighNCDUer]

5. What don't you believe?

That the diplomat was kidnapped?
That is the only fact here - that the Americans did it is speculation on the Iranians' part, but not necessarily an unfounded speculation. And if US commanded Iraqis to kidnap him, they could claim that it was an Iraqi job, which is just what they are claiming.

It's one more push toward war - but don't worry. 'Iran' will not start anything until we have all our pieces on the board, and there's still one more carrier group en route.

[haymark]

8. I queston the fact

Iranians say their diplomat was kidnapped. I question the truthfulness of the Iranians.

[RaleighNCDUer]

10. That is the one thing that is not in question here.

US forces are not denying that he was seized from his car by 30 armed men - obviously a very public event. They're just saying the the gunmen were not US forces.

But what the fuck, lets just go ahead and nuke Tehran for suggesting it was us.

[Nabia2004]

6. Iraqi officials: captured kidnappers "had legitimate defence ministry identification"

An Iraqi government official told Associated Press news agency there had been a gun battle and a chase after the kidnapping but the car carrying the diplomat escaped.

Some men were captured but the New York Times quoted Iraqi officials as saying they had legitimate defence ministry identification.

An official told the paper the men may have kept the identification after being dismissed. It is not thought they are still being held

[Jacobin]

7. Provocations to try to justify an attack on Iran

[gratuitous]

9. Some damn thing in the Balkans

If only Iran had archdukes, eh Dick?