Iranian officials have confirmed this week's media reports that an American woman has been arrested on spying charges after illegally entering the country.
Ahmad Garavand, deputy border police chief, told reporters that his forces arrested a U.S. citizen at the town of Jolfa, on the border with Azerbaijan.
He identified the woman as Hal Talayan, age 34, and accused her of filming "on a mission from the U.S. spy agency" under cover as a tourist.
TheUnited States said on January 6 it was trying to obtain detailsabout the reports that a U.S. woman was detained.
But U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said he could not confirm whether the woman is a U.S. citizen.
If the woman's arrest is confirmed, she would be the fourth American Iran has detained and accused of spying in less than two years.
compiled from agency reports
Ahmad Garavand, deputy border police chief, told reporters that his forces arrested a U.S. citizen at the town of Jolfa, on the border with Azerbaijan.
He identified the woman as Hal Talayan, age 34, and accused her of filming "on a mission from the U.S. spy agency" under cover as a tourist.
TheUnited States said on January 6 it was trying to obtain detailsabout the reports that a U.S. woman was detained.
But U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said he could not confirm whether the woman is a U.S. citizen.
If the woman's arrest is confirmed, she would be the fourth American Iran has detained and accused of spying in less than two years.
compiled from agency reports
