Tarawneh urges ‘positive step’ from Iran on Jordanian detainees

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh on Monday met with the outgoing Iranian ambassador to Jordan, Mojtaba Ferdowsi.

Tarawneh urged the Iranian authorities to take a "positive step" towards ensuring a quick release of three Jordanians detained by Iranian authorities since January, when their ship accidently entered Iranian waters, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

For his part, Ferdowsi stressed that the file of the detained Jordanians will be resolved “within days”, stressing that there are routine measures that must be adhered to and that the detainees are being treated with respect.

During the meeting, Tarawneh stressed the need for coordination among parliaments in the Islamic world, to help Palestinians achieve their legitimate rights, foremost of which is the establishment of an independent state, Petra added.

The Iranian diplomat said that his country highly appreciates the Kingdom's moderate stances and stands by the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

Regarding Iraq, Tarawneh voiced optimism for Iraq's future noting that he has witnessed consensus among the various Iraqi parliamentary groups that sectarianism will not contribute to rebuilding the country.