BAGHDAD, Feb 24: The eldest son of Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, one of Iraq’s most powerful Shia leaders, was detained near the Iranian border because members of his convoy were acting suspiciously, the US military said on Saturday.

Ammar al-Hakim’s detention on Friday could strain good relations between Washington and his father’s Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), the dominant political party in the Shia-led government.

US military spokesman Lt-Col Christopher Garver said in a statement the convoy was stopped because the vehicles met “specific criteria for further investigation in an area where smuggling activity has taken place in the past”.

“At the time, members of the convoy did not cooperate with Coalition Forces and displayed suspicious activities which subsequently led to Mr Hakim’s detention,” Garver said.

“Further investigation led to Mr Hakim’s release to Iraqi authorities and the return of his possessions. Mr Hakim was treated with dignity and respect throughout the incident.

“Unfortunate incidents such as this occasionally occur as Iraq endeavours to secure its borders,” he said.

US accuses Iran of providing weapons to Shia militias in Iraq. Security forces closed the border with Iran for several days.—Reuters