Iran arrests Chinese nationals on suspicion of spying

Iran has detained two Chinese nationals on charges of spying on its military and nuclear facilities, a government spokesman said today.

Though such accusations against Westerners are common in Iran, the announcement is the first such charge against China, with which Iran usually enjoys good relations.

“The Chinese nationals were detained while taking photo and recording video tape of a military complex in Arak city,” judiciary spokesman Ali Reza Jamshidi told reporters. “They entered Iran through Kish Island as tourists.”

Jamshidi said the case was under investigation by the country’s judicial authorities.

No further details were given about when the men were apprehended or how they travelled the more than 430 miles between Kish Island, a resort off Iran’s southern coast in the Persian Gulf, and the town of Arak in central Iran, which is the site of an under-construction 40-megawatt nuclear reactor.

Iran’s Intelligence Ministry occasionally makes announcements about identifying and striking down British and American spy networks around the country.

China traditionally enjoys warm ties with Tehran, and is involved in large oil deals here. However, the Chinese have voiced support for the US-led international efforts to have Iran reign-in its contentious nuclear programme.