KABUL, Afghanistan – Police and villagers hunted on Friday for 13 mine-clearing workers kidnapped in a restive part of Afghanistan less than a week after Taliban militants vowed to step up an abduction campaign.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that his country has not yet decided about the future of talks with the Untied States over Iraq.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz highlighted his country’s close energy ties with Iran, and described Islamabad as a major customer for Iran’s gas supplies.