AP – Sat May 21
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran’s Intelligence Ministry says it has arrested at least 30 people allegedly linked to a spy network run by the CIA.
In a statement read on state TV Saturday, Iran’s secret service says its agents uncovered activities of a CIA-run espionage network that sought to recruit Iranian spies through U.S. diplomatic missions that include the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Turkey.
The report didn’t provide further details, but claimed the recruits had been asked to spy on Iran’s research institutes, universities, nuclear programs and other sites.
Iranian authorities occasionally announce the arrest of people with alleged ties to foreign intelligence agencies, particularly the U.S., Britain and Israel.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s Administrative Justice Court has ordered that an Iranian vice president be barred from government service for four years.
The conservative news website alef.ir says Vice President for Executive Affairs Hamid Baqaei has been convicted of committing “violations” and banned from serving in the government for four years. The report was posted on the website Saturday.
The website doesn’t say when the verdict was issued and doesn’t elaborate on the violations but says the ruling is related to “numerous violations” allegedly committed by Baqaei when he headed Iran’s cultural heritage and tourism organization.
Hard-liners have dramatically increased pressure on President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his loyalists amid a bitter power struggle over who will shape Iran’s next government.
