WASHINGTON, Feb I: The United Stales Thursday retained Iran that under the Geneva Convcmton.il is required to treat the Iraqi pilots who have taken refuge on its soil as prisoners of war (POWs). reports AFP.

It would be consistent with the Geneva Convention on prisoners of war for Iran to treat Iraqi pitots as prisoner* of war. said State Department spokeswoman Margaret Tutwiler.

Nearly 100 Iraqi civilian and military aircrafts have fled to Iran since Ihc Gulf war be gan January 17 .according lo the Pentagon.