Iran Denies Presence of al-Qaida Operatives

The Iranian foreign ministry on Tuesday denied U.S. accusations that three al-Qaida operatives were in Iran, helping to move money and weapons around the Middle East, state media reported.

The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on Wednesday against the three senior al-Qaida members, saying they were based in Iran and had key logistical roles for the group.

But Bahram Ghasemi, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, said there was no knowledge of their whereabouts.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has no information of the presence of these people on its territory," he told IRIB state television.

"The U.S. administration, instead of issuing general statements, should in practice enable a coordinated international fight against terrorist groups by sharing precise information."

"Iran continues its strong determination in fighting terrorist groups," he added.

The U.S. Treasury named the three alleged operatives as Faisal Jassim Mohammed al-Amri al-Khalidi, Yisra Muhammad Ibrahim Bayumi and Abu Bakr Muhammad Muhammad Ghumayn.

It said Khalidi, a 31-year-old Kuwait-born Saudi national, was "part of a new generation" of Qaida operatives who in May 2015 participated in a senior leadership meeting as the military commission chief.

Egyptian Bayumi, 48, is a Qaida veteran involved recently in raising and deploying funds for the group.

Ghumayn, a 35-year-old Algerian, took control of the financing and organization of Iran-based Qaida members last year, the Treasury said.