US holding Iranians seized in Iraq raids

Gordon D Johndroe, the spokesman for the National Security Council, said two Iranian diplomats were among those initially detained in the raids. It was unclear what kind of evidence American officials possessed that the Iranians were planning attacks, and the officials would not identify those being held.

The two raids, in central Baghdad, have deeply upset Iraqis. At least two of the Iranians were in Iraq on an invitation extended by President Jalal Talabani. One raid took place in the compound of Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, a powerful Shiite leader, who travelled to Washington three weeks ago to meet Bush.