Iran’s interior minister says the authorities have arrested several alleged French intelligence agents in relation to the nationwide protests that has rocked the country for two months.
"People of other nationalities were arrested in the riots, some of whom played a big role. There were elements from the French intelligence agency and they will be dealt with according to the law," Ahmad Vahidi told state TV on November 16.
There was no immediate comment from French officials.
Last week, France said two more of its citizens had been detained in Iran, bringing to seven the number of French nationals held in the protest-wracked country. Paris did not provide details on the two detainees.
Western countries have repeatedly accused Tehran of taking dual and foreign nationals into custody on false charges for the sole purpose of using them in prisoner swaps.
The Islamic Republic has accused foreign foes of stoking the ongoing nationwide protests ignited by the September death of a 22-year-old woman in the custody of morality police.
The deadly crackdown on the protest movement has prompted the West to impose new sanctions on Iranian officials and entities.
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