Father says American journalist held; Iran says she lacked permit

An American journalist reported by her father as being detained in Iran had been working there without a permit, Iran's Foreign Ministry said Monday.

"In fact, her press card was revoked," said Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hassan Qashqavi. "Without a permit, she should not have been engaged in news and information gathering in Iran."

Qashqavi did not confirm whether Roxana Saberi was in custody or provide details of her alleged arrest. In his weekly news conference, he said the matter is under the jurisdiction of Iran's judiciary.

Saberi's father, who lives in North Dakota, told CNN on Sunday that his daughter called him February 10 and said she'd been arrested 10 days earlier. He said the phone call was disconnected after two minutes but his daughter called back.

"She called and said she's in jail," Reza Saberi said. "She said she bought a bottle of wine last year and kept it to take to a friend for her birthday. She said authorities told her the person who sold her the wine turned her in."

Interesting...