The Iranians will be kept in custody and will go through a periodic six-month review process used for 250 other foreign detainees held in Iraq, the Washington Post reported.

The next review is not expected until July, the newspaper on Friday quoted US officials as saying.

Washington says the five, seized in a January 11 raid in Arbil, are linked with Iranian agents involved in providing bombs used to attack US troops in Iraq. Iran says they are diplomats.

The Iranians will be kept in custody and will go through a periodic six-month review process used for 250 other foreign detainees held in Iraq, the Washington Post reported.

The next review is not expected until July, the newspaper on Friday quoted US officials as saying.

Washington says the five, seized in a January 11 raid in Arbil, are linked with Iranian agents involved in providing bombs used to attack US troops in Iraq. Iran says they are diplomats.