Iran says arrests 'major terrorist group' linked to Israel
Intelligence Ministry says suspects linked to 'Zionist regime' arrested; claims bombs, machine guns, military and communication equipment seized
Iran said on Tuesday it had identified a "major terrorist group" it said was affiliated to its arch-foe Israel and had arrested some of its members, the official IRNA news agency reported, citing a report by the country's Intelligence Ministry.
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"Iran's Intelligence Ministry announced it has identified a major terrorist group from the Zionist regime (of Israel) and has arrested some of its protected operational members inside the country," IRNA reported without making clear when the arrests had taken place.
IRNA reported that several "mercenaries" were arrested in different parts of the country and that large quantities of weaponry and telecommunications equipment were seized.
The semi-official Fars news agency said the suspects were arrested "while preparing to carry out terrorist acts", adding that a considerable number of bombs, machine guns, military and communication equipments were seized.
Iran periodically announces the capture or execution of alleged US or Israeli spies, and often no further information is released.
Tehran has in the past accused Israel of being behind the killings of its nuclear scientists.
The Islamic state blamed Israel in January when a nuclear scientist was killed by a bomb placed on his car by a motorcyclist in Tehran.
An Israeli official on Tuesday refused to give credence to the Iranian claims, calling Tehran's accusation's baseless and saying Jerusalem was not taking the allegations seriously.
According to the Israeli official, Iran has a history of making these types of claims before the start of discussions on its nuclear program as part of its "psychological warfare." Nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers are set to resume in Istanbul on Saturday.
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Iran denies Western suspicions that its nuclear program has military goals, saying it is for purely peaceful purposes.
Fars cited the Intelligence Ministry's statement as saying that further information would be announced later.
Reuters, AP contributed to the report
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