Iran arrests economic "spies" - agency

TEHRAN, Feb 13 (Reuters) Iran has uncovered a network of what were described as spies providing economic information to European firms and has arrested the main members of the group, the official news agency reported today.

IRNA quoted an unnamed Intelligence Ministry official as saying the ''spy network'' had gathered sensitive information about projects from the Telecommunications Ministry and sold it to ''big European communication companies''.

''The main members of the network were arrested and taken into custody by judiciary officials on (January 13),'' IRNA said, adding that the group's aim was ''destroying the economy''.

It said the main suspect, who like others allegedly involved in the network was not named, had confessed during initial interrogation to selling information to foreigners and receiving 3.5 million dollars.

The report did not give details about how many people were identified and arrested.

Iranian Intelligence Minister Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei said earlier this month Iran had identified 100 people he described as US and Israeli agents. He said some had been arrested trying to leave Iran to attend spying courses abroad.

The minister gave no details about those involved.

Iran's highest authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has previously warned about a ''velvet revolution'' -- a supposed US plot to use intellectuals and others inside the country to bring about ''regime change''.

Reuters SSC DB2139