"The Iranian intelligence agents, in a successful operation, brought home the Iranian diplomat who was abducted in Peshawar," Moslehi told reporters, according to state television. Gunmen snatched Attarzadeh on November 13, 2008 in Peshawar. He was on his way to work in the commercial service of Iran's consulate in the city when his car was sprayed with bullets and his local guard killed.
Iranian media did not give details of Attarzadeh's release or if there were any casualties during the mission but indicated it could have been a cross-border operation. There was no immediate comment from Islamabad on the reports. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said "the location where Attarzadeh was held was identified by Iranian intelligence agents, and through a series of complex operations he was brought home." According to Fars news agency, Mehmanparast said diplomatic efforts by Tehran with Islamabad had failed to produce results.
"Finally, the (Iranian) intelligence agents themselves freed our diplomat," he was quoted as saying. "The release of the diplomat shows the strength of Iran's security (forces)." Moslehi charged that Attarzadeh's abductors were supported by Israeli and US intelligence services.
"Mossad and American intelligence services were supporting the group who abducted the Iranian diplomat," he said. "Mossad and American intelligence are stunned by this (rescue) operation." The envoy's release comes after Iranian agents in February captured Abdolmalek Rigi.