negotiation & hostages

Kaveh L Afrasiabi:

High on Tehran's agenda [at the upcoming Baghdad meeting] is the issue of five Iranian diplomats kidnapped by the US in Kurdistan. [Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas] Araghchi stated that they are "in Baghdad, held by the Americans, and the Red Cross has assured us of their physical health". As a sign of US goodwill, one of those hostages has been allowed to contact his family and report about their good health, according to the latest reports by the Iranian news agencies.

According to Araghchi, "We will know at this meeting if the US is after resolving the Iraq crisis or adventurism."