The Iranian flag flutters in front the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.According to the Iranian intelligence director, defendants serving their sentences have mentioned "tempting" promises by the CIA, including U.S. visas and residency, a proper job in America or even the promise of medical aid abroad for themselves or loved ones suffering from illnesses.
The arrests come against the backdrop of heightened tensions with Iran, including the seizure of foreign tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, the downing of unmanned drones by both sides and the country's increased attempts to develop nuclear weapons.
The intelligence ministry director later clarified to ABC News that the new arrests are different from the former case of dismantling a CIA spy ring in 2011.
“That case is now closed and the new arrests are for the mission conducted in 2017-2018," the director said. More than a dozen spies working for the CIA had been arrested in that mission.
Iran also said it has provided its “allied countries” with intelligence clues of the current case including "CIA officers' information, clues and intelligence techniques used by the network" in order to create "another global failure" for the CIA.
ABC News' Ben Gittleson contributed to this report.
Kaynak:Abcnews