State TV: Case of Americans held for illegal entry is being used as propaganda against Iran

Iran TV: Detained Americans propaganda tool

TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian state television says that issue of the Americans who strayed into Iran is being used as propaganda against the Islamic republic.

The Arabic language Al-Alam also quoted the deputy governor of Iranian Kurdistan province that the three American hikers are being held on the outskirts of Marivan district and an investigation is underway.

A breaking news announcement on the English language Iranian Press TV also said Tuesday that the Americans had been arrested for illegal entry at the Malakh-Khor on the border.

The three Americans were believed to have been hiking along the mountainous border area between Iraqi and Iranian Kurdish areas when they inadvertently crossed the frontier and were detained.