Iran said today that it had arrested 12 'CIA agents'.

Parviz Sorouri, a member of the parliamentary committee on foreign policy and national security, said the alleged agents were operating with Israel's Mossad and others, targeting the country's military and its nuclear programme.

"The US and Zionist regime's espionage apparatuses were trying to damage Iran both from inside and outside with a heavy blow, using regional intelligence services," Mr Sorouri said.

"Fortunately, with swift reaction by the Iranian intelligence department, the actions failed to bear fruit," he said.

The United States and its allies suspect Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon programme, a charge Iran denies.

The MP did not give the nationality of the alleged agents nor when or where they were arrested.

The CIA declined to comment.

Iran periodically announces the capture or execution of alleged US or Israeli spies, and often no further information is released.