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14 January 2009
Taken Question on Alleged U.S. Involvement in Iran Coup Attempt
U.S. urges Iran to end policy of detaining citizens under false pretenses
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
February 13, 2009
QUESTION TAKEN AT THE JANUARY 13 DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
Alleged U.S. Involvement in Iran Coup Attempt
Question: What is our response to the claim that the United States worked with four Iranians charged with attempting to topple the Iranian government?
Answer: Any charge against an Iranian that he/she is working with the United States to overthrow the Iranian government is baseless.
In the past, Iran has used similar charges to falsely accuse and detain civil society activists and Iranians working to enhance understanding between our two countries. We urge the government of Iran to adhere to international norms by ending its policy of arbitrarily detaining its citizens or using charges of violating national security as a pretext for targeting any Iranian citizen.
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