Iran detains two Chinese over military photos

TEHRAN, Aug 15 (Reuters) Two Chinese nationals have been arrested in an area southwest of the Iranian capital for taking photographs of military and nuclear installations, Iran's judiciary spokesman and state media said today.

Spokesman Alireza Jamshidi said their case was now under review by officials in the region of Arak, a town about 120 190 km southwest of Tehran where Iran is building a heavy-water reactor.

Iran insists its nuclear programme has only civilian aims but the West says Tehran has a covert operation to make atomic bombs. Arak will produce radio-isotopes for medical care and agriculture but could also yield plutonium for use in bombs.

China is among a group of six world powers considering a possible third round of UN sanctions on Iran for its refusal to halt sensitive nuclear work. The other countries are Britain, France, the United States, Russia and Germany.

''Regarding the two Chinese nationals who were arrested in Markazi province, their case is now under review by the Arak justice administration,'' Jamshidi told reporters.

''These men entered Iran through the Kish (island in the Gulf) border via air and were caught filming and taking photos of military installations. Their arrest is totally justified.'' A later television report said the two had also been filming nuclear facilities.

Chinese diplomats in Tehran could not immediately be reached for comment.

China has taken a more cautious line than Western states in Iran's nuclear row, urging a negotiated solution and restraint over the use of sanctions.

The United States has been leading calls to isolate Iran by pushing for tougher sanctions and has refused to rule out military action while insisting it wanted talks to end the row.

REUTERS SLD RN1825