TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry has called on the United Nations and other human rights institutions to diligently follow up on the case of four Iranian diplomats who were kidnapped in Lebanon in 1982.

On the 42nd anniversary of the kidnapping of four Iranian diplomats in Lebanon, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement commemorating the national heroes and expressing sympathy with their families. 

The diplomats —Seyyed Mohsen Mousavi, Ahmad Motevasselian, Kazem Akhavan, and Taghi Rastegar Moghadam— were abducted by mercenaries affiliated with the Zionist regime.

The Ministry’s statement read, "On the 42nd anniversary of the kidnapping of four Iranian diplomats in Lebanon, Gentlemen Seyyed Mohsen Mousavi, Ahmad Motevasselian, Kazem Akhavan, and Taghi Rastegar Moghadam by mercenaries affiliated with the Zionist regime, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs commemorates these national heroes and sympathizes with their families."

Recalling the long history of crimes committed by the Zionist regime against the region's nations, including the ongoing genocide in Palestine, the Ministry stressed the need to clarify the fate of the kidnapped diplomats. It held the Zionist regime, which was the occupying force in Lebanon at the time, politically and legally responsible for the crime.

“Despite the intensive political, legal and international efforts and persistence by the Foreign Ministry over the past 42 years, which in 2008 led to the then UN Secretary General expressing readiness to cooperate, unfortunately, the international community, especially human rights institutions, has not yet taken effective measures to help determine the fate of the diplomats,” the statement reported.

The Ministry also urged the UN and human rights institutions to respond appropriately, stating: “[W]e once again stress on the responsibilities of the UN and human rights institutions, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to diligently follow up on the case until a desired outcome, namely the determination of the fate of these loved ones, is achieved.”

The Ministry also acknowledged the cooperation of the Lebanese government over the years and stressed the need for continued efforts by Lebanon’s political and judicial institutions to determine the diplomats' fate. It proposed establishing a joint fact-finding mission between Iran and Lebanon, under international supervision, to thoroughly investigate the case.

Iran’s top rights official demands formation of fact-finding mission

The secretary of Iran's High Council for Human Rights emphasized the urgent need for renewed efforts to uncover the truth behind the diplomats' disappearance. 

"The formation of a fact-finding committee is essential," Kazem Gharibabadi wrote in a post on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, marking the 42nd anniversary of the abduction of four Iranian diplomats.

"Forty-two years have passed since the abduction of our four brave diplomats. We remember them today and honor their memory. We remain hopeful that the fate of these individuals will soon be clarified," he wrote on Thursday.