Another US provocation: Iranian officials arrested in Baghdad

Details of the arrests remain sketchy. According to the comments of hotel staff to the New York Times, six representatives from the Iranian Energy Ministry—Jamal Bayati, Abathar Mirzani, Mohsen Ashouri, Saed Raai, Hassan Tharif and Bahmatullah Muradi—checked into the state-owned Sheraton Ishtar hotel in central Baghdad on Monday. Muradi was accompanied by his wife. The delegation was assisted by Iraqi drivers, interpreters and guards.

On Tuesday afternoon, the delegation was stopped at a nearby American checkpoint, their cars searched and several weapons—an AK-47 assault rifle and two pistols—confiscated. US soldiers claimed that the Iraqi guards had identification, but no official permit to carry the weapons. While they were questioned, the Iranian officials were eventually allowed to proceed to their hotel.