"CIA Spy" Arrests Made in Iran

Nov 25, 2011, 07:58 by R.E. Christian

An Iranian lawmaker said 12 CIA "spies" have been arrested in Iran and Lebanon, state media reported.

Parviz Sorouri, a member of the Iran Parliament's Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy, said Wednesday those arrested were assigned to inflict a "heavy blow" to Iran through acts of sabotage, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported.

Sorouri said the alleged spies were, in the words of IRNA, "on a mission to cripple Iran in nuclear, military and security areas."

Press TV did not provide details of the arrests, including where or when they occurred.

CNN reported this week a U.S. official said informants who worked for the CIA had been captured in Lebanon but did not say how many.

The official told the U.S. network one of the ways Hezbollah counter-terrorism operatives identified the informants was tracing their cellphone calls.

Referring to Iran, the official said, "Look who helps them."

Hezbollah, which the United States considers a terrorist organization, shares tactics and information with Iran and has close links to Iran and Syria.

Press TV said Hezbollah forced the CIA to scale back espionage in Lebanon.

U.S. sources, Press TV said, have been quoted as saying they fear for the lives of "paid informants" in Iran and Lebanon.

Source: UPI