Iran dismantles US-linked spy network, arrests 30 CIA agents
May 22nd, 2011 - 3:27 am ICT by BNO NewsTEHRAN (BNO NEWS) — The Iranian Intelligence Ministry announced on Saturday that it has identified and dismantled a spy network affiliated to the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
The Intelligence Ministry said in a statement that it arrested 30 individuals suspected of spying in their confrontation with the CIA agents and identified 42 CIA operatives linked to the network.
It added that senior CIA agents had created a number of nodes for this network in different countries to trick Iranian citizens into spying for them under different pretexts like job associations and educational centers.
“The network used a wide range of data bases and US embassies and consulates in several countries, specially in the UAE, Malaysia and Turkey, to collect information on Iran’s scientific, research and academic centers in areas of nuclear energy, air and defense industries and biotechnology,” the Iranian Intelligence Ministry said.
According to the statement, the US spy network also collected information on Iran’s oil and gas pipelines, power and telecommunication grids, airports, customs departments, network security and banks for future sabotage operations.
Iran has been accusing the United States and Israel of spying on its military and nuclear programs. According to Press TV, in January, Iran’s Intelligence Ministry dismantled an Israeli spy ring and arrested the main perpetrators in connection with the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Dr. Massoud Ali-Mohammadi.
In 2010, Iran arrested seven individuals affiliated with Israeli intelligence services, who were involved in counterrevolutionary activities.
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