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
