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Iran claims capture of British intelligence agency spy
December 14, 2013 - 16:27 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran says it has captured a spy working for British
intelligence agency MI6 in the south-eastern city of Kerman, BBC News
reports.
The head of Kerman's revolutionary court said the alleged spy had
admitted being in contact with four British intelligence officers 11
times, both inside and outside the country.
He said the accused was now on trial and had confessed. The
nationality of the alleged spy is not yet known. The UK Foreign Office
said it did not comment on intelligence matters.
Iran regularly claims to have captured spies working for foreign
powers but in most cases the accused is released without charge months
later.
The news comes as Iran and Britain take steps to try to re-establish
diplomatic relations. Britain shut down its embassy in Tehran, the
Iranian capital, in 2011 after it was stormed in a protest over
British nuclear sanctions.
Iran's envoy to the UK this week made his first visit to London,
during which he met officials at the Foreign Office. The visit
followed a trip to Iran earlier this month by the UK's new envoy to
the country - the first by a British diplomat for two years.
Non-resident charge d'affaires Ajay Sharma said he had "detailed and
constructive discussions" about the UK's relationship with Iran. He
also visited the site of the British embassy in Tehran to assess the
damage following the mob attack two years ago.
Foreign Secretary William Hague has said relations between the two
countries were improving on a "reciprocal basis".
Thawing relations between Tehran and the international community have
also seen a temporary deal reached over its nuclear program.
Iran last month agreed to curb some of its nuclear activities in
return for £4.3bn in sanctions relief, after days of talks in Geneva.
The country agreed to give better access to inspectors and halt some
of its work on uranium enrichment for a six-month period.
From: Baghdasarian
December 14, 2013 - 16:27 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran says it has captured a spy working for British
intelligence agency MI6 in the south-eastern city of Kerman, BBC News
reports.
The head of Kerman's revolutionary court said the alleged spy had
admitted being in contact with four British intelligence officers 11
times, both inside and outside the country.
He said the accused was now on trial and had confessed. The
nationality of the alleged spy is not yet known. The UK Foreign Office
said it did not comment on intelligence matters.
Iran regularly claims to have captured spies working for foreign
powers but in most cases the accused is released without charge months
later.
The news comes as Iran and Britain take steps to try to re-establish
diplomatic relations. Britain shut down its embassy in Tehran, the
Iranian capital, in 2011 after it was stormed in a protest over
British nuclear sanctions.
Iran's envoy to the UK this week made his first visit to London,
during which he met officials at the Foreign Office. The visit
followed a trip to Iran earlier this month by the UK's new envoy to
the country - the first by a British diplomat for two years.
Non-resident charge d'affaires Ajay Sharma said he had "detailed and
constructive discussions" about the UK's relationship with Iran. He
also visited the site of the British embassy in Tehran to assess the
damage following the mob attack two years ago.
Foreign Secretary William Hague has said relations between the two
countries were improving on a "reciprocal basis".
Thawing relations between Tehran and the international community have
also seen a temporary deal reached over its nuclear program.
Iran last month agreed to curb some of its nuclear activities in
return for £4.3bn in sanctions relief, after days of talks in Geneva.
The country agreed to give better access to inspectors and halt some
of its work on uranium enrichment for a six-month period.
From: Baghdasarian