Iranian consul kidnapped in Iraq

On Sunday, Iraqi militants said they had captured an Iranian diplomat. According to the AP, the corresponding video was shown on the Arab satellite channel Al-Arabiya. Militants calling themselves the "Islamic Army of Iraq" show a bearded man and his ID, which says that he is Faridun Jihani, "the consul of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the city of Karbala."

The recording shows that Jihani says something, but no words can be heard. After that, the militants read out an appeal accusing Jihani of provoking a sectarian war in Iraq and warning Iran not to interfere in the affairs of Iraq. The militants do not put forward any demands.