Iran positive detained Americans spies

Iranian Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi says Tehran is positive that the three US citizens arrested last July near the Iraq border are spies.

Sarah Emily Shourd, 31, Shane Michael Bauer and Joshua Felix Fattal, both 27, were arrested on Iranian soil after crossing the border from northern Iraq in July 2009.

“It is clear that the three Americans are spies,” Moslehi told reporters on Sunday adding that “there have been no talks on a swap.”

The intelligence minister, who was speaking on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting, described Iran as a firm believer and a forerunner in humanitarian acts, IRNA reported.

“We expect the Americans, who claim to be advocates of human rights, to also commit humanitarian acts, because only after this can we decide on whether or not to have a swap,” Moslehi said.

The US has detained several Iranian nationals on charges of violating the US-imposed sanctions against Iran.