Iran arrests man as Israeli spy

An Iranian national has been arrested on the charges of spying for Israel, Press TV reported on Monday.

The man was arrested in southeastern city of Kerman and is on trial for passing intelligence about Iran to Israel, head of Kerman's Revolution Court, Dadkhoda Salari, was quoted as saying on Monday.

The defendant, whose identity has not been revealed, had been involved in trade activities in Southeast Asian countries and in his last trip to Thailand, the agent passed intelligence about the Islamic republic to the Israeli embassy in Bangkok, said the provincial judiciary official.

He said the spy intended to pass intelligence gathered about Iran's economy, geography and even the mines of Kerman province to his handler in a second trip but was unsuccessful and detained.

The report did not reveal further details and did not disclose the time of the arrest.

Iran has accused Israel of carrying out intelligence work inside the Islamic republic and even of being involved in the killing of Iranian nuclear scientists.

Israel and the West suspect that Iran is conducting weapon- grade activities under the guise of civilian nuclear program. Iran denies the charges, saying that its nuclear activities are for "peaceful" ends.