Bush condemns Iran's detention of Americans
WASHINGTON, June 1 (Reuters) US President George W Bush today said he strongly condemned Iran's detention of American citizens and called for them to be freed ''immediately and unconditionally.'' Tehran has accused Haleh Esfandiari, an academic, Kian Tajbakhsh, a social scientist, and Parnaz Azima, a journalist, of spying, and has detained Ali Shakeri, a California businessman. All are dual citizens.
''Their presence in Iran -- to visit their parents or to conduct humanitarian work -- poses no threat,'' Bush said in a statement.
Bush also demanded to know the whereabouts of Robert Levinson who went missing early in March.
''I strongly condemn their detention at the hands of Iranian authorities. They should be freed immediately and unconditionally,'' Bush said.
Levinson, a former FBI official, went missing in early March while on a visit to the Iranian island of Kish.
''I
am
disturbed
by
the
Iranian
regime's
refusal
so
far
to
provide
any
information
on
Robert
Levinson,
despite
repeated
US
requests,''
Bush
said.
''I
call
on
Iran's
leaders
to
tell
us
what
they
know
about
his
whereabouts.''
He
added:
''The
United
States
is
committed
to
protecting
its
citizens
at
home
and
abroad.''
REUTERS
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