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'Iran arms runners' held in Italy 'Iran arms runners' held in Italy
(about 2 hours later)
Nine people have been arrested by Italian border police on suspicion of trafficking arms to Iran. Nine people, including both Italians and Iranians, have been arrested or are being sought by Italian police on suspicion of trafficking arms to Iran.
Both Italians and Iranians had been arrested, including "some who are believed to belong to the Iranian secret services", police said. Police have issued nine warrants. Some arrests have already been made but some suspects are still at large, they say.
The nine were not identified, but police said they were accused of illegally exporting arms and armament systems. Police said "some are believed to belong to the Iranian secret services".
Arms exports to Iran are strictly controlled under a UN embargo. The nine were not identified, but police said they were accused of exporting arms and armament systems, breaking a UN arms embargo on Iran.
More details of the operation were expected to be released at a news conference later.More details of the operation were expected to be released at a news conference later.
Italy is Iran's biggest trading partner in the European Union.Italy is Iran's biggest trading partner in the European Union.
But it has been among the countries leading calls for tougher sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme.But it has been among the countries leading calls for tougher sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme.
The West accuses Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons. Iran denies this, saying its only aim is to generate nuclear energy.The West accuses Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons. Iran denies this, saying its only aim is to generate nuclear energy.