Iran demands apology from US for alleged plot to kill Saudi envoy

The Islamic Republic of Iran has demanded apology from the US Administration for unfounded allegation over assassination attempt against Saudi ambassador to Washington, The New York Times said on Monday. The Times quoted a U.S. official as saying that Iran has formally complained to the U.S. over the alleged assassination attempt by the Iranian government to kill Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, Adel al-Jubeir. The official said the U.S. received a diplomatic note on Friday expressing displeasure with the charges that were leveled earlier this month. The official said the note was delivered through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which represents U.S. interests in Iran. The New York Times quoted an Iranian official as saying that the letter emphasized Iranian assertions that Washington's allegations are 'based on lies' and called into question U.S. diplomatic tactics that Iran calls violations of 'international rules and regulations.' 'The letter also mentioned the thousands of deaths in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 and the billions of dollars from the U.S. citizens' pockets.' The letter called for a U.S. apology for the ambassador plot allegations and sought unspecified compensation for 'material and moral damages of this baseless accusation,' The New York Times said. A dual U.S.-Iranian citizen who holds an Iranian passport, Manssor Arbabsiar, 56, pleaded not guilty last week in U.S. District Court in New York in connection with the plot allegations.