Iran detains senior liberal-minded diplomat

Arrest of veteran envoy, labeled as a potential ‘misunderstanding’ in state media, may be tied to June presidential elections

2 May 2013, 10:39 pm Edit
Iranian nuclear head Ali Akbar Salehi, center, arrives for the Security Conference in Munich, Germany, in February. (photo credit: AP/Matthias Schrader)
Iranian nuclear head Ali Akbar Salehi, center, arrives for the Security Conference in Munich, Germany, in February. (photo credit: AP/Matthias Schrader)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s foreign minister on Thursday said authorities have detained a veteran Iranian diplomat, but describes the incident as a potential “misunderstanding.”

No other details were given in the report by the semi-official ISNA news agency. It also remains unclear why authorities targeted the liberal-minded diplomat, Bagher Asadi, and whether it could be related to next month’s presidential election.

Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi is quoted as defending the integrity of Asadi, who previously held a senior position at Iran’s UN mission. Asadi also is a close ally of former pro-reform President Mohammad Khatami.

The report did not say when Asadi was detained.

Elections are planned June 14 to pick a successor for current Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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