In Baghdad today the Iranian Embassy in Baghhad confirmed that one of its diplomats in Iraq has been kidnapped.

Iranian TV said Faridoun Jahani was kidnapped as he was traveling to the central Iraqi city of Karbala to open an Iranian consulate there.

There is no reported ransom demanded.

The group calling itself the 'Islamic Army in Iraq' said it has 'detained' Jahani for 'stirring sectarian strife and for activities outside his diplomatic duties'.

The Arab speaking television network Al-Arabiyah reports that the group warned Iran against its 'blatant interference in Iraqi internal affairs.'