'Iran helicopters sale' halted

Spanish police have arrested eight people who allegedly planned to sell Iran military transport helicopters that they obtained in Israel.

Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said five Spanish businessmen and three Iranians who had come to Spain to finalise the deal have been arrested.

A ministry statement said nine US-made Bell 212 helicopters were seized in warehouses in Madrid and Barcelona.

Spare aircraft parts that police say were intended for Venezuela were also confiscated.

The United Nations has imposed an arms embargo on Iran.

Police put the value of the sale at €100m.