Iran Claims 30 Arrests in Alleged US Spy Ring
- Posted on May 22, 2011 at 7:06am by
Scott Baker
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TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s Intelligence Ministry claimed Saturday that it has arrested at least 30 people allegedly linked to a CIA-run spy network in accusations that also could spill over into the country’s deepening political power struggles.
The announcement on the alleged spy ring gave no further details and appear part of Iran’s frequent claims of Western and Israel interference. But the Intelligence Ministry also is at the heart of a messy political showdown and could seek to boost its credentials as a front-line defender of the country.
Last month, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad forced out the intelligence minister as part of government infighting, but the minister was immediately reinstated by Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It touched off a high-level battle that included Ahmadinejad boycotting Cabinet sessions and Khamenei’s loyalists warning Ahmadinejad he was on dangerous ground by challenging the ruling system.
Hard-liners have since launched pinpoint strikes aimed at weakening Ahmadinejad and his allies before next year’s parliament elections and the vote for his successor in 2013. The latest apparent blow was reported Saturday after a court ordered a four-year political ban on one of his vice presidents.
The alleged spy ring could add another level of political intrigue.
In a statement read on state TV, Iran’s secret service said its agents uncovered activities of a CIA-run espionage network that sought to recruit Iranian spies through U.S. diplomatic missions that include the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Turkey.
The report didn’t provide further details, but claimed the recruits had been asked to spy on Iran’s research institutes, universities, nuclear programs and other sites. Iranian authorities occasionally announce the arrest of people with alleged ties to foreign intelligence agencies, particularly the U.S., Britain and Israel. There was no immediate comment by Washington.
In the political upheaval, Iran’s Administrative Justice Court issued a four-year ban on government service against Hamid Baqaei, the vice president for executive affairs.
Details of the ruling were not made public, but the conservative news website alef.ir reported that Baqaei has been convicted of “numerous violations.” Baqaei confirmed the verdict during a press conference. But the semi-official Fars news agency said he refused to elaborate on the ruling.
Authorities have arrested up to 25 people loyal to Ahmadinejad and his close confidant Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei in recent weeks and blocked half a dozen websites allied to them.
Reports posted on Iranian opposition websites claim Mashaei and Baqaei have been summoned for questioning twice in recent days by Iran’s intelligence services to respond questions on financial and security matters. Iranian officials have made no comment on the reports.
Baqaei is among eight vice presidents in the government and a close ally of Mashaei, who is Ahmadinejad’s chief of staff.
Mashaei has been accused by hard-liners of heading a “deviant current” that seeks to undermine the ruling system and shape politics after Ahmadinejad’s term expires. Earlier this week, an ultra-conservative publication urged for Mashaei’s arrest.
Mashaei also is despised by hard-liners for views that elevate the values of pre-Islamic Persia and his statements suggesting Iran can oppose Israel’s government but can be friendly with the Israeli people.
Pressures has intensified after the president’s spiritual mentor, Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi, said last week that Ahmadinejad was under a “spell” from Mashaei, whose daughter is married to the president’s son.
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Comments (53)
ED4237
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:00pmWho can believe Iran? Iran does this so they can make the claim to their people that America is meddeling in their affairs. Ajad is a nut case that should have been put down years ago.
Report Post »chris3
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 9:02pmwow, I’ll bet there is a good!!! warent,I mean warrenty on these “goods” as well?
Report Post »windycitywoman
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 6:13pmAhmadinejad is nuts! You can tell by looking at the guy that he’s not playing with a full deck, his cheese slid of his *******! What more do you need then to hear former president Bush saying, “I looked into the eyes of pure evil”? Obama will try to play nice with Ahmadinejad while Ahmadinejad continues to say he will negotiate (in meetings scheduled months and months down the line) and continues to build his own nuclear bombs. Even if Ahmadinejad is not reelected the Ali Khamenei will see to it the ideology(wipe Israel off the face of the earth) is carried on, he taught Ahmadinijad everything he knows.
Report Post »SilentReader
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 3:35pmI’m sure all 30 of them will be brutally tortured and hanged soon in the public square without a trial and with no protests from Obama or the corrupt U.N. And repeated raped and stoned or hanged and thrown out like an old pair of shoes if they are women.
Report Post »AmericanLass
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 3:30pmIts Obama fault, blame him, FOREVER AND EVER !
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 3:00pmI paid $ 33,759.46 for Barry to fly Airforce One to Ireland for a Pint of Harp’s. I paid $65,889.00 in taxes over 40 years for Planned Murderhood to kill Babies
Report Post »Windsong
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 2:06pmCome on, Mr. Obama, this is your…friend, right? The very man you’ve been reaching out to since you took office. Do you think he actually arrested thirty ‘CIA’ operatives…or does he just have the two ‘spy’ hikers? If you don’t have that info, I’ll bet Uncle George can get it for you…he likes being in the middle of things, you know.
Report Post »Man, I just got a mental picture of Ahmadinejad standing next to Osama bin Laden during their plotting days. Can you see ‘em? A guy about six-five, with a long, full beard, and a little guy about 5′5″, who can’t seem to grow a beard. Hey! Maybe that’s why Ahmadinejad is so hateful and angry all the time…he’s vertically challenged, with no facial hair, and everyone laughs at him behind his back. You know, Hitler had the same problem, well except for the weird mustache…I wonder if he paid the barber ful price for only half a mustache. Either way, they’re both Evil and short, and, subsequestly bullied. Huh. That wouldn’t be allowed that in America…….
ginpa
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 1:02pm@ starman70
Report Post »I’ll take you up on your ocean front property in AZ. that is for sale. Didn’t you know that president Imemy is going to open up drilling again? Woops now everyone will know.
Pattondog
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 12:54pmalan west and fred thompsan as his running mate. would definately get my vote. we need a uniter not a divider.
Report Post »orlandojon
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:37amIf you are an American and are stupid enough to live or visit Iran then you deserve what you get.
Report Post »WINNEBAGOMAN
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:03amWho would’ve thought there would be nepetism and corruption in the Iranian government? Really?
Report Post »Mr.Truth
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 9:59amAny American that lives in that country is nuts in the first place!
Report Post »lynnissmart
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 9:26amAJ can claim the sky is falling and I wouldn’t believe him, same as O.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 9:26amAhmadinejad is rally something else if a fanatical religious type guy doesn’t like him…LOL
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 9:20amsounds like obama may be taking lessons from,Ahmadinejad, and is slowly turning us into a dictator style muslin loving country,with only his points of religion or views,get ready people, he is trying to destroy us the same why rag head is destroying Iran. he is already trying to limit our speech, take our guns way,forcing business to work for the government or be closed downed,also,he is controlling the food and gas prices through regulations, so want it be fun to be just like Iran, but we will be called Obama land. not AMERICA.
Report Post »rienheart
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 9:17amTheir torture methods differ than ours in that, instead of water boarding they make them listen to endless days of Lady Gaga and make them dance the Polka until all hours of the night. Oh the Humanity. Where is the UN to stop this very inhumane treatment. Where is the Left Protesting in the streets?
Report Post »oldasdirt
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 9:11amUbama states”I am focusing like a lazer on jobs right now.I cant be bothered by what is going on in Iran.Now hand me my 5 iron,,,,,which way is the wind blowing?”
Report Post »Alan West is needed to save our nation.
starman70
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 9:31amOdummer needs another Florida vacation, Maine vacation, a couple of overseas trips (Bowing and scraping to foreign leaders who hate America) and several rounds of golf, all the while the country and the world melts around him.
All the more reasons why he wants to become the first American Dictator.
Report Post »Aaron in Polk County
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 8:12amMahmoud Ahmadinejad is simply accusing and arresting people who pose a threat to him politically. Then public saying he “…uncovered activities of the CIA…” This is not unlike “Night of the Long Knives” for the Nazi party.
Report Post »USAMEDIC3008
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:29amI think your on to something All dictators us this method to keep their power.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 8:10am@ Poverty Maybe but he going to Irland on another vacation.Meanwhile the Mississippi floods and Texas burns have not heard a word.
Report Post »3katmomma
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 8:08amOn the other hand, they must have taken a lesson from Joseph McCarthy.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 8:00amHow do you think they where caught some one leaked.And we all know Obama bowls down to the *******.
Report Post »912828Buckeye
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 7:58amWhat type of interrogation methods will the Iranians use?
Report Post »I’m sure it will U.N. approved. (Extreme sarcasm intended)
starman70
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 9:06amYEAH RIGHT!!!! The paragon of Human Rights, Iran, member of the UN’s Human Rights Council (One of the greatest jokes of the last and now the new century) will use humane interrogation procedeures. If you believe that, I have 2 miles of ocean front property in Arizona I would love to sell you! You can bet everything you will own that OBUMMER won’t demand that the Iranians provide humanitarian for these people.
The CIA’s “Agressive Interrogation Tactics” will seem like a birthday party for a 3 year old compared to the tactics the Iranians will use.
Question is – - -Did the Obummer administration’s lackeys either inadvertently or on purpose leak the info about the spies to Iran, trying to “Make Nice” to another Islamic regiem? As far as I’m concerned, all bets are off.
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:32amYour assuming of course, that there really was an arrest of 30+ “spies”.
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:51amDon’t worry 912828BUCKEYE Eric is on top of it , if he finds out that Iran is using torture , he’ll immediately file charges against the CIA agents .
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 7:37amThe Obama Administration will “leak” all/any details on any covert action the USA is taking …. they leak worse than anything I have ever seen … God help us and those who work to protect us.
Report Post »one yrs. food ration like Glenn says..
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 7:56amI heard you the first time I heard you the first time
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 8:06amWhen they remove that first post .. and all those under it .. this one will still be here.
Actually got a error msg when I tried to post the first time .. didn’t think it posted.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:14amExcuses!
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:16amJust kidding you!
It’s easy to tell that you have had to battle wits with someone. I believe you won, too!
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:14am@ CATB
We’ll let it go this time :)
I believe AhmediNutjob cause he always speak the truth , remember when he said to the loons @ Columbia “we don’t have homosexuals in Iran”
Report Post »Vern Ackular
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 7:32amSlow news day.
Report Post »travlman77
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 7:41amNo one thought we would still be here!
Report Post »Dont-hate-on-me-2
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 1:21pmWERE not here!! All in Heaven
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 7:21amOkay Okay. The secret is out. President Tom has been a CIA mole for 30 years now and is an Insider Extreme member for twoyears and posts on The Blaze under the screen name ENCINOM. They outed him when he tries to buy a tour package for Glenn‘s Jerusalem Rally from the Ayatollh’s only approved travel broker.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 7:33amNot to worry I am certain that the Obama Administration will “leak” all/any details on any covert action the USA is taking …. they leak worse than anything I have ever seen …
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 8:01amAhmadinejad is more of a liar than Obama (if that’s possible), why would we believe anything he says about our country and some supposed spy ring. This guy is nuttier than people who think they can claim when the world will end.
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 8:01am@BIGJAYINPA
Classic, love it!
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 8:01amDisney has the rights to Navy Seal 6, don’t expect Obama to come out with a rescue mission. Re-election campaign has already begun.
Another round of golf is in Obama’s future.
Report Post »chiefparker
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 8:14amAhmadinejihadist is under a spell from Mashaei! Yikes! Mashaei believes they can oppose Israel’s gov and still be friendly to the Israels people! He’s a spy, Arrest that optimistic and reasonable pacifist!!!
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 8:32amWell said. the truth is out. the rag didn’t save him.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 8:59amThe Iranians probably arrested a pack of Girl Scouts hiking on the Iraq / Iran border …
Report Post »zancudobob
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:46amMay or may not be directly focused on the blogpoint, but : Can anyone explain to me? Israel helps us with intel, support, etc. in the War on Terror–hence we , meaning this Obama regime, throw Israel under the bus. Libya had it’s fangs pulled LONG AGO, and was no threat–We attack Libya to “avert a humanitarian crisis”. It’s not going well. The rescue, I mean. SYRIA, who aid, abet, arm, train, etc. fighter’s and send them to Afganistan to KILL AMERICAN TROOPS, plus they are killing their own people every day…And? //We “sternly” warn Syria. IRAN sends it’s elite Guards to Iraq /Afgan. to train jihadists in the killing of AMERICAN TROOPS, we know this, we have many weapons with “Made in Iran” stamped on them, and we….“Sternly” admonish Iran, PLUS, they kill , imprison, torture their own people, and how is that not worthy of an airstrike or two…or three. So, we have all these “ humanitarian crises” that should be halted , we show our “outrage”, and we…..Invade Libya??
They , meaning every Democrat living and/or dead, said that GWB went into Iraq “for the oil”, nothing else, not the fact that Ol’ Dead Guy Soddohm was killing his own people, just for oil. What is the purpose of Libya, which has FAR less oil than Iraq? O’Bama wants to look like a Muslim War Chief, that’s why. It’s all about da votes, homey’s.
Report Post »bombshelterbob
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 7:28pmThat’s great Bigjayinpa!!
Might I add a loose paraphrase of that immortal Joker line: “What this country (Iran) needs is a 20 Kiloton enema!
Report Post »Mstrrlm
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 9:41pmNow we understand how wikileaks gets all its information!!!! BHO is passing it to them so he can make a case of how evil we are
Report Post »jzs
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:57pmMost people here want a Christian theocracy in the United States. You want democratically elected officials you say, but you want to make sure they’re are Christians and make laws that comply with your view of Christianity (support the rich, kill our enemies, you know the drill). But read the article and you can see what happens with a Theocratic government, a government run by people who think God is speaking in their ear. We fear Iran because we don’t want want nuclear in the hands of those who think God is speaking to them.
Well, I for one don’t want our nuclear weapons under the control of someone who think God is telling them what to do (which, I’m sure Christians on this website will all agree, is to destroy the Muslims).
Report Post »Heather Mae 74
Posted on May 23, 2011 at 7:24am@JCS
Except most Christians believe that God created us with free will and to judge not lest ye be judged. I want leaders who would uphold the Constitution since it’s the only form of government that has been created to protect that free will. Any politician that wants this Christians vote needs to have those Judeo/Christian values
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