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Iran claims to have captured MI6 spy | Iran claims to have captured MI6 spy |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Iran says it has captured a spy working for British intelligence agency MI6 in the south-eastern city of Kerman. | |
The head of Kerman's revolutionary court said the alleged spy had admitted being in contact with four British intelligence officers 11 times, both inside and outside the country. | The head of Kerman's revolutionary court said the alleged spy had admitted being in contact with four British intelligence officers 11 times, both inside and outside the country. |
He said the accused was now on trial and had confessed. The nationality of the alleged spy is not yet known. | |
The UK Foreign Office said it did not comment on intelligence matters. | The UK Foreign Office said it did not comment on intelligence matters. |
Iran regularly claims to have captured spies working for foreign powers but in most cases the accused is released without charge months later. | Iran regularly claims to have captured spies working for foreign powers but in most cases the accused is released without charge months later. |
The news comes as Iran and Britain take steps to try to re-establish diplomatic relations. | The news comes as Iran and Britain take steps to try to re-establish diplomatic relations. |
Britain shut down its embassy in Tehran, the Iranian capital, in 2011 after it was stormed in a protest over British nuclear sanctions. | |
'Constructive discussions' | |
Iran's envoy to the UK this week made his first visit to London, during which he met officials at the Foreign Office. | |
The visit followed a trip to Iran earlier this month by the UK's new envoy to the country - the first by a British diplomat for two years. | |
Non-resident charge d'affaires Ajay Sharma said he had "detailed and constructive discussions" about the UK's relationship with Iran. | |
He also visited the site of the British embassy in Tehran to assess the damage following the mob attack two years ago. | |
Foreign Secretary William Hague has said relations between the two countries were improving on a "reciprocal basis". | |
Thawing relations between Tehran and the international community have also seen a temporary deal reached over its nuclear programme. | |
Iran last month agreed to curb some of its nuclear activities in return for £4.3bn in sanctions relief, after days of talks in Geneva. | Iran last month agreed to curb some of its nuclear activities in return for £4.3bn in sanctions relief, after days of talks in Geneva. |
The country agreed to give better access to inspectors and halt some of its work on uranium enrichment for a six-month period. | The country agreed to give better access to inspectors and halt some of its work on uranium enrichment for a six-month period. |