TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi and Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Wednesday affirmed that the government is seriously pursuing the release of an Iranian photojournalist detained in Afghanistan, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

Speaking to Tasnim on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Vahidi said the Iranian government will "definitely pursue the issue."

In similar remarks to Tasnim on the same day, Kanaani noted that after being informed of the issue, his ministry began its follow-ups through the relevant Afghan authorities and is "seriously pursuing the photojournalist's release."

Tasnim on Tuesday reported that the "Taliban forces" had detained one of its photojournalists, identified as Mohammad-Hossein Velayati, at Kabul International Airport on Saturday without any explanation.

It added that Velayati was arrested at the end of his 10-day personal trip to Afghanistan, as he was returning to Iran, stressing that he had entered Afghanistan legally through the air border.

On Tuesday, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Iran's special representative for Afghanistan, told Tasnim that he had already held talks with the Iranian mission in Kabul on the issue and the efforts of the officials there will hopefully produce results soon. ■