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Today in History: Iranian diplomat kidnapped by al-Qaeda, held two years

7/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 21 July 2013, Nour Ahmad Nikbakht, an administrative officer at Iran’s embassy in Sana’a, was seized by an al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula gunman as he left his home. He remained a hostage for two years until a March 5 2015 prisoner swap freed him in exchange for five al-Qaeda leaders.

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Story summary

On 21 July 2013, Nour Ahmad Nikbakht, an administrative officer at Iran’s embassy in Sana’a, was seized by an al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula gunman as he left his home. He remained a hostage for two years until a March 5 2015 prisoner swap freed him in exchange for five al-Qaeda leaders.