Iraq: Kurdish officials say Iran confirms it has detained 3 American tourists

Kurd officials: Iran confirms it has 3 US tourists

SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq — Kurdish officials say Iran has confirmed to them it detained three Americans who possibly strayed into Iranian territory while on a hiking trip.

The U.S. State Department has said it’s looking into the reports that the Americans were detained while hiking near Iran’s border in the self-ruled Kurdish region.

The Kurdish regional government’s envoy to Washington, Qubad Talabani, told The Associated Press that Iran confirmed the three tourists are in Iranian custody.

Another senior Kurdish security official also said Saturday Iran has informed Iraq it detained the three.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to release the information.

Iran has not commented on the case.