Tehran, Aug 7 (IANS) The Iranian foreign ministry Tuesday summoned the Swiss charge d'affaires in the country to protest the abduction of Iranian pilgrims in Syria, Press TV reported.

The Swiss embassy in Tehran represents US interests in Iran since Tehran and Washington severed diplomatic relations in 1980.

A total of 48 Iranian pilgrims were abducted last week by militants in Damascus.

Reza Zabib, director general of the North America Bureau of the Iranian foreign ministry, told the Swiss diplomat that Washington was responsible for the lives of the Iranian nationals kidnapped in Syria, Xinhua reported.

The US should use its influence on the opposition groups in Syria to free the abducted Iranians without any preconditions, Zabib said.

The Swiss official said Iran's protest will be conveyed to the US and its response will be handed to Tehran.