Iran scoffs at guilty plea in Saudi ambassador plot

the associated press

First Published Oct 20 2012 01:32 pm • Last Updated Oct 20 2012 01:32 pm

Tehran, Iran • Iran says a guilty plea by a Texas man allegedly hired by Iran to kill Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States was the result of "psychological and moral pressure."

The official IRNA news agency Saturday quotes Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast as saying Manssor Arbabsiar’s guilty plea Wednesday in a U.S. court is proof that the case is a "ridiculous plot" against Iran since Arbabsiar originally pleaded not guilty last year.

At Wednesday’s hearing in a New York court, Arbabsiar was asked whether he intended to kill the Saudi ambassador. He said he did. He also said Iranian military officials based in Iran were involved in the plot.

Iran says it has no connection to Arbabsiar and that the U.S. accusations have no "legal logic."

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