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Iran claims 30 arrests in alleged U.S. spy ring â€Ž

21 May 2011 14:25 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. The Iranian Intelligence Ministry announced on Saturday that it has identified and disbanded a large US spy network with tens of branches, centers and nodes in different world countries, adding that it has arrested 30 spies during the operation, Fars News Agency reported.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Intelligence Ministry said it could disband a "complex sabotage and espionage network affiliated to the US spy agency (CIA) following a series of extensive intelligence and counter-espionage measures and operations inside and outside Iran".

The statement further pointed out that senior CIA agents had created a number of nodes for this network in different world countries, and said these centers "which worked in disguise deceived Iranian citizens under different pretexts like job associations and educational centers to collect information and intelligence on Iran".

"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.

The statement further pointed out that 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.

"The skillful and faithful forces of the Intelligence Ministry have arrested a number of 30 American spies in their strong confrontation with the CIA agents," the statement said

The Intelligence Ministry also stated that it has succeeded in feeding misinformation to the CIA through a number of double-agents.

"Hence, not only was the CIA’s heavy aggressive operation defused, but a number of 42 CIA field officers and operatives in different countries were identified by the Iranian Intelligence Ministry," it added.