Iran demands U.S. apology over plot charges

TEHRAN,Nov.1(MNA)-- Tehran demanded that the United States should publicly apologize and pay monetary damages for claiming that Iran had plotted to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to Washington, an Iranian diplomat told. The Iranian demands were contained in a recent letter to the U.S., according to the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity. It calls on the U.S. to apologize publicly to both the Islamic Republic and officials of the Al Quds Force for “material and moral damages” caused by “this baseless accusation,” which Iran says violated "international rules and regulations." The letter states that such deception has become "a permanent part of statecraft in the U.S.," according to the source, citing as an example the U.S. invasion of Iraq, which it says was “based on such false information.” "After killing hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis and U.S. soldiers and wasting billions of dollars from the U.S. citizens' pocket, the U.S. has no other way out except leaving Iraq," the diplomatic source said, recounting the statement made in the letter. The diplomatic source would not provide details on when the letter was sent out, to whom it was addressed or who in the Iranian government wrote it. A State Department representative acknowledged Sunday that a letter had been received, but declined to discuss its contents. The spokesperson added that the two sides are talking about the alleged plot, saying the U.S. "is still in contact with Iran regarding this case."