Iran says it has foiled plots to disrupt its nuclear program.
The deputy head of Iran’s nuclear department, Asghar Zarean, told AP news agency in Tehran on September 1 that foreign intelligence agencies had tried to recruit energy experts from Iran's Atomic Energy Organization when they traveled abroad.
Zarean, who is in charge of security for Iran's nuclear program, did not elaborate on the number of attempts or the destinations where the alleged contacts occurred.
Zarean also showed AP journalists parts and equipment which he said had been deliberately tampered with to sabotage Iran's nuclear program.
He said the items had been manufactured in Western and Asian countries, without naming the states that authorities believe are behind the sabotage and the recruitment effort.
Iran's nuclear program has been the target of severe computer virus attacks in the past.
