3 Captured Americans Are 'Definitely Spies,' Iranian Lawmaker Says -- L.A. TimesThe comment suggests some in Tehran may take a hard line after 3 UC Berkeley graduates strayed into Iran from Iraq's Kurdistan region. The incident may complicate U.S. efforts to engage Tehran.
Reporting from Baghdad -- An Iranian lawmaker said today that three Americans who strayed into Iranian territory across the border from Iraq's Kurdistan region were "definitely" spies.
Mohammed Karim Abedi, a member of the Iranian parliament's National Security Committee, said it would be up to the "relevant authorities" to decide how to handle the case. However, his comments suggested that at least some Iranians will seek to take a hard line on an incident that threatens to complicate further the Obama administration's efforts to reach out to Tehran.
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More News On This Hostage Crisis
Iran: 3 Americans to be investigated for spying -- Yahoo News/AP
Iran says 3 Americans arrested for illegal entry -- AP
Iranian Official: 3 Americans Detained by Iran Face Interrogation -- Voice of America
Clinton 'Concerned' About Americans Held in Iran -- Washington Post
Arrested hikers US journos -- News24
My Comment: These three Americans are in serious trouble. After the spectacle of Bill Clinton going to North Korea today to publicly apologize for the 2 U.S. journalists detained by North Korean authorities, I would not be surprised to learn that Iran will now be positioning itself to demand the same treatment.
Would Bill Clinton go to Iran and do the same thing as he did today in North Korea .... I doubt it. These 3 men may be captives for a very long time. Their only hope is that the Democracy movement in Iran may exert pressure on their authorities .... but I would not hold breath.
These men are not "detained". Like the journalists who were arrested in North Korea 6 months ago, they are now pawns in the games that the Iranians may want to play. They are hostages.