An Iranian diplomat seized two months ago in Iraqhas been released, Iran'sofficial news agency reported Tuesday, citing informed sources in Tehran.

Jalal Sharafi, the second secretary at the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad, will return tothe Iranian capital later Tuesday, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

The report gave no indication of why or how Sharafi had been freed.

He was seized on Feb. 4 when his car was intercepted by vehicles carryingarmed men in the Karradah district of Baghdad. The gunmen, who wore Iraqiuniforms, forced him into one of their two vehicles and sped away.

Iran said Sharafi hadbeen taken by an Iraqi military unit commanded by the U.S. forces,and said it was holding the Americans responsible for his safety. The U.S.authorities denied any role in his disappearance.

The Iraqi government said it did not know who had taken Sharafi, but Shiitelawmakers said he had been seized by an Iraqi commando unit that reports to theU.S. command — an allegation strongly denied by U.S. spokesmen.