Michael Theodoulou and Michael Evans, Defence Editor
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Britain’s diplomatic relations with Iran deteriorated further yesterday when Tehran’s former top nuclear negotiator was charged with spying for Britain.
Hossein Mousavian, who was the main nuclear negotiator under President Khatami, is accused of passing classified material to the British Embassy in Tehran.
“He has been informed of the charges that he has given the British Embassy information contrary to the security of the country,” said Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie, Iran’s Intelligence Minister. “From the viewpoint of the Intelligence Ministry, he is a criminal.”
Mr Mousavian was first arrested in May and spent ten days in prison on unspecified charges of espionage before being released on bail.
Diplomats said that the charges brought against Mr Mousavian were the result of domestic politics.
Geoffrey Adams, the British Ambassador to Tehran, was not summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry to discuss the charges. Diplomatic sources said that there had been no discussions with the Iranian authorities about any spying claims.
One source said: “We’re not treating these allegations with any seriousness.” There is no suggestion that Mr Mousavian is accused of being in cahoots with British intelligence officers.
Mr Mousavian left the Government when President Ahmadinejad was elected but remained an ally of the Iranian leader’s most powerful rivals, former presidents Khatami and Rafsanjani. Both have accused Mr Ahmadinejad of endangering the Islamic Republic with his confrontational rhetoric on the nuclear issue.
The charges against Mr Mousavian will be preceived as a challenge to Mr Rafsanjani, a pragmatic conservative who believes in accommodation with the West.
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Why are we concerned about Iran you ask? Have you not heard what they have said? They have publicly stated that their goal is the destruction of Israel and they sponsor terrorism around world. If they were a peaceful country it would be different.
Face the reality.
john, Lexington, SC
If nations only stuck to their end of the bargain (nuclear non proliferation treaty), be open and transparent about their nuclear intentions, and be civil enough by not stating that they'd like to wipe out nations out of the map, then the west won't necessarily have to be suspicious and intervening in their aims to utilize nuclear energy. While the rest of the world tries to keep peace and safety for all of us, some other veto power weilding nations drag their feet only because they have sizable investments in Iran. So instead of worrying about world safety, these countries have dug their heels so to protect their self interests. Let us just hope that the Iranian nation doesn't obtain a nuclear weapon...just imagine what the other arab nations will do...hey if Iran has one...we too want one...hmmm...a nuclear arms race amongst nations that are proliferated with radical muslim extremists....not to mention Iran being the main sponsor of Hezbollah....
Rashid, Baghdad, , Iraq
Iran burns off (flares) more natural gas every day as a waste by-product of oil production than they would need to fire electrical generation for the entire country and possibly more. This may be why the West doesn't believe their "we need the electricity" line of mularky.
Mark, Austin, Texas/USA
Where as Spain, as we all know are massive players on the international stage?!
Jules, London,
Why is it a Muslim country like Iran is not allowed to use nuclear energy a cheap source of electrical power. Whereas countries like UK and France have access to nuclear energy for the power requirement.
Petroleum resources are fast depleting. Nuclear energy is the future.
So I do not see any reason to deny Iran or any Third World countries from tapping these nuclear resources.
raduan taib, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
i think it is very important for the iranian govt to understand the imminent danger the world faces with nuclear arm proliferation .the world cannot stand another war.the american should stop their distrust attitude and refrain from provocative comments that might stall the peaceful resolution.we have had enough of FIGHTING WAR IN THE NAME OF WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION THAT NEVER EXISTED.the result is what we see in Iraq today.War is not the solution to World peace. A word is enough for the wise.
olusegun.Nigeria
segun, capetown, rsa
Who said Moussavian was arrested for passing nuclear secrets? Iran's nuclear program is transparent and under full IAEA supervision. By definition there are no nuclear secrets for the IAEA.
However, what is open to the IAEA is not necessarily open to US/UK and other members. The Agency decides what to make available to member states and what not to.
Most likely Moussavian is charged with divulging negotiating tactics and plans of the Iranian nuclear team and inside information of that type; not information of a technical nature.
Bijan, Shiraz, Iran
Iran has blatantly lied and deceived repeatedly since the "79 Islamic Revolution in that country. How can anybody believe a nation that perpetually lies, hides, scams, decieves, and cons not only our media and politicians,,,,but also their own citizens.
It's obvious they CAN'T BE TRUSTED.
David Waterbury, Valley Village , California
The behavior of the Iranian government with regard to her nucler activity is pointing to one direction only A BOMB.
Otherwise a country that does not have even one up & running N power station , What it needs enreched oranium for?.
peaceful use of the A power is just a coverup. World must stop hesitating & start acting before its too late.
ali agha, Tucson, AZ
Couple this with the story about homosexuals being hung (no sniggers at the back) and we have a perfect target for the USAF Gay Bomb.
Robin Laundon, Cambridge, UK
âHe has been informed of the charges that he has given the British Embassy information contrary to the security of the countryâ.
How can that be, considering the nuclear program is intended for peaceful purpouses only?
If so, the charge could only amount to industrial espionage.
Seems the Iranian government has a serious logical issue here. Putin must feel goofed.
Gerald B., Aarhus, Denmark
The iranians never denied having the knowledge of building a nuclear warhead. The detailed plans you speak of were given to iran from a pakistani scientist many years ago...many people, including the iaea already knew of the documents.
And seeing as how your from Israel, I wouldnt preach about iran having "nothing to hide" . Your country won't even join the IAEA. Countries that refuse to join the IAEA really shouldn't have a say on the matter.
kk, dxb,
spying? I thought Iran had nothing to hide... oh wait, only yesterday they admited they had detailed plans on how to build a nuclear warhead... but of course, there program is for "peaceful" purposes... yeah right...
nir, jerusalem,
I think the Russians and Americans know more about Irans nuclear program then Mr Mousavian ever knew. With respect to the British Embassy in Tehran, I think they know even less, there best source of information about Iran are the headlines in the Times.
mohsen, malaga, spain
its gna get invaded
nrly 14, leeds, yorkshire