Jaber Ansari: We Will Help Find the Abducted Americans If Relevant Channels Approve

The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry confirmed the request from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for Iran's assistance in locating three Americans abducted in Iraq, stating that the Islamic Republic would help if capable and if relevant channels approve. On Tuesday, February 5, Hossein Jaber Ansari responded to reporters regarding Kerry's request to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, saying that Kerry had asked Zarif to assist in the release of the three abducted Americans in Iraq, and 'Iran will help if it has the capacity to assist and if the relevant channels approve.' According to ISNA news agency, he continued: 'Regarding what has happened in Iraq, if Iran can provide assistance based on the policies being implemented in the country, this matter will be pursued.' The spokesperson described such assistance as based on the Islamic Republic's 'humanitarian perspective' and added, 'The policy of the Islamic Republic regarding humanitarian issues is to provide assistance if it has the capacity, and in this specific case, this matter must also be examined through relevant channels to see if such a possibility exists or not.' He cited Iran's assistance in similar cases in recent years and the recent exchange of American and Iranian prisoners between the two countries on January 26, just hours before the announcement of the implementation of the Vienna nuclear agreement. The news of the abduction of the three American citizens in Baghdad was first reported by Al Arabiya television on January 27, and Kerry had stated on the same day that he was aware of the reports and was following the issue. Two days later, Reuters reported, citing American and Iraqi sources, that the three Americans abducted in Baghdad last week were in the hands of a group of 'Iran-backed Shiite militants.' Following that, on February 1, the U.S. Secretary of State told reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that he had met with Mohammad Javad Zarif regarding this matter and asked him if Iran could assist in locating these individuals. John Kerry added that Zarif responded, 'He will consult on this matter and will do whatever he can, but he had no information on this.' Iraqi officials confirmed on February 2 that unidentified armed individuals had abducted the three from their private residence in the 'Dora' neighborhood in southeastern Baghdad.