Iran says arrests 'terrorist group' linked to Israel

DUBAI - Iran said on Tuesday it had identified a "major terrorist group" it said was affiliated to its arch-foe Israel and had arrested some of its members, the official IRNA news agency reported, citing a report by the country's Intelligence Ministry.

"Iran's Intelligence Ministry announced it has identified a major terrorist group from the Zionist regime (of Israel) and has arrested some of its protected operational members inside the country," IRNA reported without making clear when the arrests had taken place.

The semi-official Fars news agency said the suspects were arrested "while preparing to carry out terrorist acts", adding that a considerable number of bombs, machine guns, military and communication equipments were seized.

Tehran has in the past accused Israel of being behind the killings of its nuclear scientists.

The Islamic state blamed Israel in January when a nuclear scientist was killed by a bomb placed on his car by a motorcyclist in Tehran.

Iran denies Western suspicions that its nuclear programme has military goals, saying it is for purely peaceful purposes.

Fars cited the Intelligence Ministry's statement as saying that further information would be announced later.

The ministry declined to reveal any further details due to security considerations, but said it will provide the public with more information in due time, Fars reported.

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

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