TEHRAN, Feb. 4 — Iran did not issue visas for a group of U.S. female badminton players it had invited to compete in the country in events starting Friday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, citing the “time-consuming process” of handling such applications. “They will not participate in the competition,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said during his weekly news conference. The Iranian Badminton Federation, a part of Iran’s Physical Education Organization, which is headed by Vice President Mohammad Aliabadi, had invited the eight players, along with four coaches and managers, to participate in a tournament during celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution. “We are disappointed and hope the Americans will forgive us,” said Zahra Tayyebin, head of the Badminton Federation’s public relations office. ”
