Iran has arrested 12 members of a terrorist network working for Iraq's ruling Baath party that was planning a series of bomb attacks, Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi said Thursday, cited by state television.
He said the group was planning a string of attacks on "all" foreign embassies as well as military bases, oil installations, newspaper offices and members of the Iraqi opposition based in Iran.
Other members of the group who are outside the country have been identified, said Yunesi, who did not specify when the attacks had been scheduled to take place or exactly when the 12 had been arrested.
He said the group also had plans to attack oil transport facilities and top military officials.
Iran and Iraq have yet to sign a formal peace treaty concluding their bitter 1980-1988 war with each nation hosting members of the other's opposition.
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said last week that Tehran did not want war with Baghdad, and an official Iraqi newspaper said Sunday it hoped the call from the reformist president had been "sincere." – TEHRAN (AFP)
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