TEHERAN: Five Iranian officials who were held in Iraq for more than two years by US forces on suspicion of aiding local Shiite militants returned to Iran yesterday, where the Iranian foreign minister hailed their return as a victory for Iran.

The five diplomats flew to Teheran from Iraq yesterday and were met at the airport by a cheering crowd of onlookers.

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki welcomed the men back to Iran and praised what he described as their courageous resistance while being held in Iraq by US forces.