Bush condemns Iran's detention of Americans

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

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 AM RN2243

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