'Captive' Belgians found in Iran

The two Belgians disappeared in south-east Iran

Two Belgian tourists who disappeared in south-eastern Iran at the weekend have been found and are in good health, Belgium's foreign ministry has said.

It said the mother of one of those missing had been in touch with him.

The ministry said Belgian diplomats in Iran were doing everything to reach and help the pair.

There is no word on why they went missing. The ministry did not confirm the two had been kidnapped, as reported by Iranian officials on Monday.

"The mother of one of the two people was in contact with her son this afternoon," the ministry said in a statement.

"She said he was safe and in good health, and it was the same for the other person."

The pair were named on Belgian TV as Stefaan, 28, and Carla, 36, from the Flemish region, without their surnames being given.

They had disappeared near the town of Fahraj, near Bam, Iran's state news agency Irna reported on Monday.

Bam governor Majid Etemadi told Irna that they went missing on Sunday and a search for them was launched.

The area is used by gangs smuggling drugs from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Armed smugglers have clashed with Iranian security forces there before.