Iran arrests al-Qaida chiefs

Iranian authorities have arrested "top members" of al-Qaida.

But Tehran officials won't comment on media reports that Iran is holding al-Qaida's number two, Ayman al-Zawahri.

There is speculation Iranian intelligence services have also arrested al-Qaida's spokesman Suleiman Abu Ghaith or its security chief Saif al-Adil.

Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi said: "A large number of small and big time elements of al-Qaida are in our custody.

"Wherever we learn of some clues about people connected to al-Qaida, we launch intelligence operations and arrest them. We are firm on this because we consider it our duty to do so," Mr Yunesi said at a press conference after a Cabinet meeting at Iran's presidency.

Iran said last month that it was holding talks with foreign intelligence services, including Britain's, over the fate of its detained members of the al-Qaida terror group.