US releases 5 Iranian officials in Iraq

[BlueJessamine]

Source: Associated Press

BAGHDAD (AP) — U.S. forces on Thursday released five Iranian officials detained in January 2007 in northern Iraq on suspicion of aiding local Shiite militants, Iranian and Iraqi officials said.

Iranian embassy spokesman Amir Arshadi said the Iranian detainees had been handed over to Iraqi authorities prior to their transfer to the embassy. His comments were confirmed by Yassin Majid, media adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

The Iranians were detained in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil and at the time U.S. authorities said the men included the operations chief and other members of Iran's elite Quds Force, which is accused of arming and training Iraqi militants. Iran denied the claim.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hasan Qashqavi confirmed the report on state television, saying "the hostages" were in al-Maliki's office for a meeting.


Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gK1dWI5NIluLyrqUBumrC0W23FjgD99AU1580

[CynicalObserver]

1. Did anyone doubt they were what they were said to be?

Why were they released? To make nice with the regime in Tehran after the less-than-politic comments from Obama, contradicting his nice letter sent before the elections?

Anyone who has been in or been around people with informed presence in Iraq cannot be oblivious to the fact Iran has waged/is waging a proxy war with us in Iraq.

[Tempest]

2. Bush handed Iraq to Iran on a silver platter

The neocons screwed the pooch attacking Iraq.