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'Iran arms runners' held in Italy 'Iran arms runners' held in Italy
(about 3 hours later)
Nine people, including both Italians and Iranians, have been arrested or are being sought by Italian police on suspicion of trafficking arms to Iran. Two Iranians and five Italians have been arrested by Italian police on suspicion of trafficking arms to Iran, anti-terror police say.
Police have issued nine warrants. Some arrests have already been made but some suspects are still at large, they say. Two more Iranian suspects are currently in Iran, Italian officials say.
Police said "some are believed to belong to the Iranian secret services". Italy's anti-terrorist prosecutor Armando Spataro said the two Iranians arrested in Italy worked for the Iranian government.
The nine were not identified, but police said they were accused of exporting arms and armament systems, breaking a UN arms embargo on Iran. He said they were accused of exporting arms and armament systems, and breaking a UN arms embargo on Iran.
More details of the operation were expected to be released at a news conference later. "It is an investigation of considerable importance because it concerns the entire international community," said Mr Spataro of the nine-month operation, codenamed Sniper.
It was conducted along with Swiss police as one of the suspects lived in Bern, he added.
An earlier statement said those sought were suspected members of the Iranian secret service.
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.