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He told the Irna news agency yesterday that he had been interrogated by CIA agents on the extent of Iran's influence in, and operations concerning, Iraq.

"Then they attempted to encourage me to cooperate with them by changing their approach. But I told them that they can contact the Iranian embassy in Baghdad for any information, given that I am only a diplomat and cannot act beyond the limit of my legal duties."

But Gordon Johndroe, a White House spokesman, today countered: "The United States had nothing to do with Mr Sharafi's detention and we welcome his return to Iran.

And Lou Fintor, the US embassy spokesman in Baghdad, told the Associated Press news agency that "as we have said repeatedly, we were not involved in the abduction, detention or release of this individual".

At a news conference yesterday seven of the 15 Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel told how they were "exploited" as propaganda stooges by the Iranians and subjected to "extremely nerve-wracking" psychological pressures.

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