Iran acknowledges espionage at nuclear facilities

AP: Iran’s nuclear chief says personnel at the country’s nuclear facilities were lured by promises of better pay to pass secrets to the West, but that increased security and worker privileges has put a stop to the spying.

The Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s nuclear chief says personnel at the country’s nuclear facilities were lured by promises of better pay to pass secrets to the West, but that increased security and worker privileges has put a stop to the spying.

The stunning acknowledgment by Ali Akbar Salehi provided the clearest government confirmation that Iran has been fighting espionage at its nuclear facilities.

Salehi was quoted Saturday by the semiofficial Fars news agency as saying that access to information has been restricted within nuclear facilities as part of the increased security measures.

The United States and its allies accuse Iran of seeking to use its civil nuclear sites as a cover for a secret program to develop atomic weapons — a charge Iran denies.