Washington - The United States urged Iran on Monday to provide access to three Americans arrested more than a week ago after allegedly crossing into the country from Iraq.

State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood said the Iranian government has not allowed a visit from officials at the Swiss embassy in Tehran.

Wood said Iran was required under international law to allow consular access to the Swiss, who represent US interests because the United States and Iran have not had formal diplomatic relations for nearly 30 years.

Iranian state media reported August 1 that the three backpackers were detained on Iranian soil near Iraq's Kurdish region. The Iranian government believes the three Americans were journalists - not hikers.(dpa)