Iran denies harboring de facto al-Qaeda leader

After years of accusations it offered a safe haven to al-Qaeda members, Iran has dismissed a new UN report on the presence of the extremist group's de facto leader on its soil.
FBI/Getty Images
A "Most Wanted Terrorist" poster of Saif al-Adl, who is believed to be a high-ranking member of al-Qaeda, released by the FBI, Washington, Oct. 10, 2001. - FBI/Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
A correspondent in Tehran

TEHRAN — Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York on Wednesday rejected a report by the world body's experts that has said de facto al-Qaeda leader Saif al-Adl is currently based in Iran.

"It is worth noting that the address for the so-called newly appointed al-Qaeda leader is incorrect," the Iranian mission announced on Twitter.

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