IRAN: TWO SWEDES ARRESTED ARE U.S. OR ISRAELI SPIES, DIPLOMAT SAYS

Tehran, 31 March (AKI) - Two Swedish citizens arrested a month ago as they took pictures of navy installations on the island of Qashm, off the southern coast of Iran, are US or Israeli spies, said Hassan Ghadiri Abyaneh, Iran's former ambassador to Australia. The two, whose arrest was publicised only a few days ago, are in good health conditions, said the Iranian justice ministry."They are probably American or Israelis and entered in Iran with Swedish passports," Abyaneh told Iran's semi-official Fars news agency.

Abyaneh, who was also a spokesman for the Iranian embassy in Rome, is known for his radical positions and attacks against the West and in particular Italy.

"Right now, many American and Israeli commanders operate on the Iranian territory to get the necessary information for potential military attacks against the Islamic Republic," he told Fars.

No further details were given on the arrest of the two Swedes.