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American Tourists in Iraq Arrested by Iranian Troops on Border

Scorpion89

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American Tourists in Iraq Arrested by Iranian Troops on Border - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com

SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq — Iran has confirmed it detained three Americans who were in the area of the Iranian border while on a hiking trip, Kurdish officials said Saturday. The U.S. State Department has said it was looking into the situation.

The Kurdish regional government's envoy to Washington, Qubad Talabani, told The Associated Press the three were tourists and are in Iranian custody. He said the Americans mistakenly crossed into Iranian territory Friday at the border town of Ahmed Awaa.

"The Iranians said they have arrested them because they entered their land without legal permission," he said.

Iranian officials have made no comment. Iran's embassy in Baghdad was closed Saturday.

The self-ruled Kurdish region has been relatively free of the violence that plagues the rest of Iraq. Foreigners often feel freer to move around without security guards in the area, and tourists have been known to visit the scenic area. It is relatively easy for tourists to get into the region, particularly if they arrive by airplane. The Kurdish government generally grants visitors to the Kurdish area visas valid for one week when they arrive at the airport.

A senior security official in Sulaimaniyah, near the Iranian border in northern Iraq's oil-rich Kurd region, said Saturday the three were last heard from after they contacted a friend saying they entered Iran by mistake and troops surrounded them. There has been no contact with them since, he said.


And guess what this story is almost 24 Hours Old and not one Word from Mr.Obama demanding that these three American be release right now or Iran will find out what happens if you don't release them.

But what a'm I thinking we are talking about Mr. Obama now aren't we maybe he could say he was sorry for them entering and send the Mullahs a Signed Copy of his book(s) and a few Dvds
 
Before we over react, let's wait to see what Iran does. If any person wandered into another country without a visa or other supporting documents, you would expect the same thing to happen. It's not Obama's job to respond to consequences that tourists receive with plenty of advance warning beforehand. It's the job of American travellers to know where they are at all times, what is acceptable, and what is not.
 
Before we over react, let's wait to see what Iran does. If any person wandered into another country without a visa or other supporting documents, you would expect the same thing to happen. It's not Obama's job to respond to consequences that tourists receive with plenty of advance warning beforehand. It's the job of American travellers to know where they are at all times, what is acceptable, and what is not.

Wrong Iran knew they had Americans why send out a whole friggen brigade to arrest three Tourist huh?? Also while I've never been to that part of Iraq/Iran Border I can tell you from my own exeriance that the border is faar from marked.

Like I said time for mr. Obama to speak up now and make it clear that they(Iran) needs to hand them back over.
 
Tourists in Iraq? :confused:

"Come for the camel spiders, stay for the sand."
 
Tourists in Iraq? :confused:

"Come for the camel spiders, stay for the sand."

No they were in Kurd section which has allot of Tourist come to the area. Maybe you should take the time and read the article first before you make assini comments.
 
Wrong Iran knew they had Americans why send out a whole friggen brigade to arrest three Tourist huh?? Also while I've never been to that part of Iraq/Iran Border I can tell you from my own exeriance that the border is faar from marked.

Like I said time for mr. Obama to speak up now and make it clear that they(Iran) needs to hand them back over.

When I was in China visiting Karakul Lake, I was staying in a local yurt. At 3am, three military trucks filled with soldiers pulled up, and their leader said "for my safety" I must leave... a.k.a "we don't want you talking to locals and finding out the truth". They were worried I was a reporter, so I had to leave.

It doesn't matter why they sent soldiers to detain three tourists. It's their country and they can do whatever the hell they want. If you're a tourist and too stupid to find out where one country ends and the other begins, then don't be surprised when you get detained for not having a visa.

Countries in Southeast Asia, and even Nepal (where I am currently staying) reserve the right to throw you in jail if you enter their countries illegally, even if by accident.

It has nothing to do with the fact that these are Americans, and everything to do with the fact that they are newbie travellers in over their heads.
 
No they were in Kurd section which has allot of Tourist come to the area. Maybe you should take the time and read the article first before you make assini comments.

Sorry, I made a joke. I didn't read the article. I went by the title, which I found amusing that they were tourists.

I'm not the idiots being detained by the Iranians. I find it an absurd idea to be vacationing so close to the Iranian border, or in Iraq for that matter, right now. I have trouble understanding how the State Dept. would hand out tourist visas while we still are having soldiers die due to violence there.

It would make a good comedy I suppose. "The Griswolds in Kurdistan"

I would make similar jokes if someone was a tourist of Gary, IN, East St. Louis, or Detroit.

So there you go.
 
When I first heard this story yesterday the first thing that came to mind was I wonder what that planning meeting for the trip must have been like.
It opened with the following. "Your mission should you choose to accept it." and closed with: Should you be killed or captured the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your mission".
I have to agree that this is fishy from the get go. I mean who are these people Chevy Chase, Dan Akroyd and Pauly Shore?
I realize this could get ugly and i hope they are finally released so they can under go mental evaluations and have their passports revoked for being dumb asses.
 
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