Iran: no formal US request for diplomatic office received
Washington, 19 August (IranVNC)—The semi-official Fars News Agency today denied a report by Entekhab news website which cited an unnamed “informed official” today as saying that plans to open an American interests section in Iran had been confirmed.
By: IranVNC
Published: Tuesday, August 19, 2008
20:58GMT—4:58PM/EST
US – IRAN – OFFICE
Washington, 19 August (IranVNC)—The semi-official Fars News Agency today denied a report by Entekhab news website which cited an unnamed “informed official” today as saying that plans to open an American interests section in Iran had been confirmed.
“The United States has not made any official requests to open its interests section in Iran,” Fars quotes the caretaker of Iran’s interests section in the U.S., Mostafa Rahmani, as saying today.
Entekhab had quoted an unnamed official as saying: “The US government has submitted its request to open an interests section into our country’s officials and the request has been accepted.”
The unnamed source continued: “of course, it has been agreed that US government would formally make this request to open an office and, afterwards, Iran will announce its positive response to this request.”
He was quoted as adding that American officials were in search of a candidate to head the interests section in Tehran, who would meet with one of Iran’s vice presidents or Iran’s foreign minister.
US media reported in June that the United States was considering opening a diplomatic office in Tehran. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters at the time: “We’re determined to find ways to reach out to the Iranian people.” But she said she would not discuss internal State Department deliberations.
Sources: Entekhab news website in Persian, Fars News Agency in English
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