The nomination of Hamid Aboutalebi as a new Iranian ambassador to the UN mission in New York caused a controversy because of his alleged involvement in 1979 seizure of the American embassy in Tehran, when 52 diplomats were held hostage.
"We're taking a close look at the case now, and we have raised our serious concerns about this possible nomination with the government of Iran," the Guardian quotes the US state department spokeswoman Marie Harf.
Speaking to Khabaronline, a conservative Iranian news website, Aboutalebi has denied accusations he was involved in the hostage crisis and said he had merely acted as a translator. Aboutalebi has previously held ambassadorial positions for the Islamic republic in Australia, Belgium and Italy.
John Limbert, a former hostage, said Aboutalebi's appointment was very odd. "Even if he does eventually come to New York, he will be useless as spokesperson for the Islamic republic," the former US diplomat told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. "Previous ambassadors have taken on that role, but who here – considering his past – will ever listen to him?", the Guardian quotes Limbert.
