Tehran is downplaying a 25-year prison sentence against an Iranian-American who was convicted in an alleged Iranian-backed plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said on Iranian state television that “convicting an innocent person in such a way has no legal value and is merely a political move” by the U.S. federal court.
Manssor Arbabsiar, a naturalized U.S. citizen who also holds an Iranian passport, was convicted after admitting he conspired with Iranian military officials to try to kill Saudi Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir at a Washington restaurant in September 2011.
Tehran denies any involvement in the plot.
The assassination was never attempted.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said on Iranian state television that “convicting an innocent person in such a way has no legal value and is merely a political move” by the U.S. federal court.
Manssor Arbabsiar, a naturalized U.S. citizen who also holds an Iranian passport, was convicted after admitting he conspired with Iranian military officials to try to kill Saudi Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir at a Washington restaurant in September 2011.
Tehran denies any involvement in the plot.
The assassination was never attempted.
