Iran summoned Nadine Olivieri Lozano, the Swiss ambassador to Tehran who represents American interests, as well as an Italian diplomat, to protest the arrest in the United States and Italy of two Iranians suspected of technology transfer sensitive, Iranian media reported.
On Monday, American justice formally accused Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and Mohammad Abedini of “exporting sophisticated electronic components to Iran”, in violation of regulations in the United States and American sanctions against Iran.
These components were used in January during a drone attack in Jordan which cost the lives of three American soldiers, the American Department of Justice said in a press release. Iran had denied any involvement and slammed “baseless” allegations.
Mohammad Abedini, 38, was arrested Monday in Italy at the request of American authorities. Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, 42, is incarcerated in the United States and holds dual nationality, according to American justice.
“These arrests are contrary to all international laws and standards,” said an Iranian Foreign Ministry official, Vahid Jalalzadeh, quoted on Saturday by the Tasnim news agency. He added that Iran had expressed its protest during an “invitation” to the ministry addressed to the Swiss ambassador in Tehran and the charge d'affaires of the Italian embassy.
Switzerland as mediator since 1980
The United States and Iran, once close allies, severed diplomatic relations in 1980, shortly after the Islamic Revolution that toppled the Washington-backed Pahlavi dynasty and the taking hostage of American diplomats in their embassy in Tehran. The two countries have since exchanged indirectly through the Swiss embassy in Iran.
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