Iran arrests Israeli spy pretending to be a businessman

Tehran: Iran's security forces have arrested a businessman accused of spying for Israel's intelligence agency Mossad. The individual is accused of operating out of the southeastern province of Kerman and trying to sabotage the security of the area.

The nationality of the spy has not been revealed. The accused was about to leave Iran when the raid and arrest took place.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s intelligence forces conducted a raid following extensive technical and intelligence measures before making the arrest. Ebrahim Hamidi, Kerman's prosecutor general, told Xinhua news agency that the spy intended to perpetrate acts of sabotage.

"The accused intended to carry out anti-security and subversive measures in the province, but with the vigilance of the IRGC intelligence organisation, this plot was thwarted," said the official. "The accused had communicated with the military and intelligence organisations and organs of the usurping Zionist regime by using the platform of cyberspace and also through numerous encrypted software," he added.

He also took several trips to different countries to transfer intelligence and provide training for acts of sabotage in Iran. The spy also contacted Israeli organisations as well as military and intelligence institutions using cyberspace and codes software before the arrest.

Iran does not recognise Israel as a nation. In the past, Tehran has accused Israel of attacking its nuclear facilities and carrying out assassinations.