Five Iranian Officials Held by US in Iraq, Return to Iran: Via Voice of America.

Five Iranian officials, detained by the United States military in Iraq for more than two years, have returned to Iran just days after their release.

The U.S. military released the five Thursday after arresting them in 2007 on suspicion of helping Shi'ite militants. Iran says the five detainees released are diplomats.

The five were transferred to Iraqi authorities Thursday and immediately handed over to the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad.

They arrived Sunday in Tehran's Mehrabad airport where they were welcomed by a crowd of people, including senior government officials.

U.S. officials say the five were released in compliance with a U.S.-Iraq security agreement that outlines the transfer of security responsibilities, and not as a political gesture toward Iran.

Earlier, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari called the release a "good initiative" that could encourage dialogue between the United States and Iran.

The detentions contributed to a rise in tension between the U.S. and Iran, which also are in a dispute over Iran's nuclear program.

Read Original Article:(Via Voice of America.)