December 28, 2009
Source:
TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said on Monday that Bin Laden’s alleged daughter’s identity has not yet been verified, the local satellite Press TV reported.
“According to Iranian officials, no such a person has crossed into Iran. This person, as Saudi embassy stated, has illegitimately entered Iran, but her identity has not been verified yet,” Mehman-Parast was quoted as saying.
Iman Bin Laden, the 19-year-old alleged daughter of al-Qaida chief Osama Bin Laden, was reported by a Saudi newspaper on Wednesday that has sought refuge from Saudi embassy in Tehran and seeks to leave the country.
“No travel documents will be issued unless the person’s identity is verified,” Mehman-Parast said, adding that Saudi embassy has not taken any action on the matter.
Mehman-Parast also criticized what he called the western media hype over the issue, the report said.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Thursday that before the Saudi embassy’s announcement, Iran had no idea whether Iman Bin Laden was in Iran. Mottaki said she could leave Iran if her identity can be confirmed.