No evidence to link Ahmadinejad with 1979 US embassy siege
Reuters, Washington
The White House said on Friday it has unearthed no evidence so far to support assertions by former American captives that Iranian President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was involved in the 1979 siege of the US Embassy in Tehran.Several Americans who were held have said they recognised the ultraconservative Ahmadinejad as a ringleader. But two Iranians who were leading figures in the storming of the embassy said he did not take part. "We continue to look into it to establish the facts," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan. Asked if the United States was aware of the allegations before the hostages went public, McClellan noted that President Bush had said on Thursday "that he didn't have any information." Involvement by the new Iranian leader in the 1979-1981 hostage crisis would send a chill through the US government, which has not resumed diplomatic relations with Iran. Fifty-two Americans were held for 444 days.
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