Kidnapped Iranians In Syria Are 'Retired' Rvolutionary Guards

Photo: This image made from a video released by the Baraa Brigades purports to show Free Syrian Army soldiers guarding a group of Iranians abducted a day earlier in Damascus, Syria. (Credit: Youtube)

Iran: Retired Revolutionary Guards Among Kidnapped In Syria -- Voice of America

Iran's Foreign Minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, says some of the 48 Iranians kidnapped by Syrian rebels are retired members of the Revolutionary Guards and the army and were in Damascus on a religious pilgrimage.

The rebel Free Syrian Army describes those kidnapped Saturday as Revolutionary Guards on a "reconnaissance mission." But Iran's ISNA news agency quoted Salehi Wednesday, as denying that the Iranians have any current military connection.

Read more ....

More News On The Kidnapped Iranians In Syria Being 'Retired' Revolutionary Guards

Seized Iranians in Syria Are Army Retirees, Salehi Says -- Bloomberg
Iran: "Retired" elite soldiers among 48 hostages held by Syria rebels -- CBS
Iran: Retired Revolutionary Guards Among Kidnapped in Syria -- Voice of America
Iran says retired Guards among hostages held in Syria -- BBC
'Retired' Revolutionary Guards among Syria hostages: Iran -- Daily Star
Some Iranians seized in Syria are retired Guards: Salehi -- Reuters
U-turn as Iran admits its military are among Syria 'pilgrim' hostages -- The Telegraph

My Comment: This is a surprising and major u-turn for the Iranian government.