TEHRAN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned the kidnapping of an Iranian diplomat in Pakistan, saying that the abduction was an act of "terror."

    "Ambush attack and kidnapping of diplomat is a terrorist act, and we strongly condemn it," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said in a statement.

    According to Vienna convention on diplomatic rights, the Pakistani government has the responsibility to protect foreign diplomats, Qashqavi said.

    Iran hopes that the kidnappers will be identified as soon as possible and the Iranian diplomat will be released safely under the Pakistani officials' full cooperation, he added.

    Athar Zaday, Commercial Attache of Iranian Consulate, was abducted together with his driver in Hayatabad district of Peshawar, capital of North West Frontier Province.

    Zaday was traveling on his way to office from his home when his vehicle was stopped by unknown gunmen who took him hostage.

    The Iranian Consulate in Peshawar has confirmed the kidnapping of Zaday.

    Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has directed the local government to take immediate measures to recover the kidnapped.

    Meanwhile, Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi denounced the kidnapping, saying the Pakistani officials would leave no stone unturned to find the kidnapped diplomat.