Iran demands release of detainees in Iraq

TEHRAN, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- The government of Iran called on Baghdad to release Iranian pilgrims held by Iraq for crossing the border illegally to visit Islamic holy sites.

The Iranian Press TV Thursday cited unidentified sources in Basra who said there are around 150 Iranians held in Iraqi or U.S. custody who are in poor health.

Iranian authorities have warned their citizens who travel to Iraq to obtain the necessary legal permits to cross the border, as U.S. and British authorities have detained Iranian pilgrims as terrorists, Press TV said.

Thousands of Iranian pilgrims flock to the central Iraqi city of Karbala each year to visit the shrine of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

The Iraqi government has released several detained pilgrims since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, though Press TV says several hundred remain in custody.

Hassan Qashqavi, a spokesman for the Iranian foreign minister, said the Iranian government expects Baghdad to release any detainees who remain in detention centers.