Iranian gunrunners detained in Kosovo

By CNN National Security Producer Chris Plante

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Three Iranians have been arrested in Kosovo for allegedly running arms to rebels fighting in Macedonia, U.S. military officials told CNN.

The Iranians, arrested in July, were said to have been working for a non-governmental organisation in Kosovo when British troops detained them near the border with Macedonia.

Ethnic Albanian rebels in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have been fighting for improved rights since February.

Peace talks have been taking place over the last week between Slav and Albanian political leaders and although there has been progress no deal has yet been signed.

It is believed that the Iranian nationals were in Kosovo "helping ethnic Albanians in the area" based on their shared Muslim faith, according to officials.

They said that the Iranians were caught in possession of a small cache of arms.

Another U.S. official told CNN the men were determined by British troops to be "anti-West", but showed "no indication they were planning any" action against NATO forces there.

They were detained on or around July 20, according to the official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. He said that they were "expected to be released shortly", but could not provide specifics.

The three Iranians are among "several dozen" people currently incarcerated at the U.S. Army prison facility at Camp Bondsteel in the troubled Yugoslav province of Kosovo, officials said.