Iran arrests ‘spy pigeons’ near N-site

TEHERAN: Security forces in Natanz had arrested two suspected “pigeons” on charges of spying near Iran’s controversial uranium enrichment facility on October 21, 2008.

One of the pigeons was caught near a rose water production plant in the city of Kashan in Isfahan province, sources said, adding that some metal rings and invisible strings were attached to the bird.

“Early this month, a black pigeon was caught bearing a blue-coated metal ring, with invisible strings,”. Natanz is home to Iran’s heavily-bunkered underground uranium enrichment plant, which is not far from Kashan.

The activity is the focus of Iran’s five-year standoff with the West, which that fears it aims to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran vehemently denies the charge. Last year, Iran issued a formal protest over the use of espionage by the United States to produce a key intelligence report on the country’s controversial nuclear programme.