Iran condemns diplomat's kidnapping in Iraq

Tehran -- The Iranian foreign ministry Tuesday issued a strongly worded statement condemning the kidnapping of its diplomat in Baghdad, allegedly "under the supervision" of US forces.

"Jalal Sharafi, the second secretary at Iranian Embassy in Baghdad, was kidnapped Sunday by a group connected to the defence ministry which operates under the supervision of the US forces in Iraq," the foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said.

Sharafi was abducted in front of a branch of Iran's Bank Melli in Arsat Hendieh Street in Baghdad and transferred to an unknown location, Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency reported, quoting the spokesman.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns this aggressive act which is contrary to international law and the Vienna Conventions and wants Baghdad government to act very quickly to free the diplomat and punish severely those behind this move who have targeted the common interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Iraq," Hosseini said in the statement.

The spokesman called the US moves in Iraq very "immature and provocative" and said such plots would clearly damage all diplomatic regulations in the world.

He said: "Based on reliable information the elements which have committed such a completely terrorist move are acting under the supervision of the US forces."

The spokesman added some members of this group, which have "record of their previous acts", have already been detained.

Hosseini said Iran "holds the US forces in Iraq responsible for the life and safety of the Iranian diplomat and strongly condemns this behaviour" and wants him to be released immediately.