Russia said on Friday (September 13) that it had cancelled the accreditation of six British diplomats stationed in Moscow, alleging their actions showed signs of "spying and sabotage," according to the Russian FSB security service.

Russia said on Friday (September 13) that it had cancelled the accreditation of six British diplomats stationed in Moscow, alleging their actions showed signs of "spying and sabotage," according to the Russian FSB security service. The FSB claimed it possessed documents proving that a department within the British foreign office in London was involved in coordinating efforts to escalate both political and military tensions. This department was reportedly tasked with ensuring Russia's defeat in its conflict with Ukraine. "The facts revealed give grounds to consider the activities of British diplomats sent to Moscow by the directorate as threatening the security of the Russian Federation," the FSB stated. “In this connection, on the basis of documents provided by the Federal Security Service of Russia and as a response to the numerous unfriendly steps taken by London, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, in co-operation with the agencies concerned, has terminated the accreditation of six members of the political department of the British Embassy in Moscow in whose actions signs of spying and sabotage were found,” FSB added. Also read: West allowing Kyiv to use long-range arms would put NATO at 'war with Russia': Putin Russian state television publicly identified the six diplomats, showing their photos during the broadcast. "The English did not take our hints about the need to stop this practice (of carrying out intelligence activities inside Russia),so we decided to expel these six to begin with," an FSB representative explained to the Rossiya-24 state TV channel. The FSB also warned that other British diplomats could be asked to leave if they were found engaging in similar activities. More about Russian FSB security service The Federal Security Service (FSB) is Russia's main internal security and counterintelligence agency, established in 1994 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It was formed as one of the successor organisations to the KGB. The FSB's main duties include counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and overseeing military-related surveillance. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia expels six British diplomats over alleged 'spying and sabotage'

Iran's state television and news agency have reported that the country's revolutionary guards have arrested several foreign diplomats including a British national. These diplomats have been accused of espionage however the British government was quick to deny these allegations claiming that none of their personnel had been detained.

Iran's revolutionary guard arrests diplomats accused of spying

The state television in Iran reported on Wednesday that the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has detained a number of foreign nationals including one of United Kingdom’s top-rated diplomats. The detentions were made on accusations of spying as the IRGC observed by the help of their drones that the individuals were taking soil samples from a prohibited area of the desert, according to a report by Fars news agency. The report added that the area was quite close to the site where IRGC had earlier conducted missile exercises. The detainees included the UK deputy ambassador and he, along with his family, will be deported in the aftermath of this event.

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"These spies were taking earth samples in Iran's central desert where the Revolutionary Guards' aerospace missile exercises were conducted," state TV said.

The state media ran a picture which showed four people in the desert on their bicycles and in another picture, they were photographed collecting soil samples from the desert.

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Earlier, the United States said in a statement that a number of entities - located in Iran, Vietnam, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong -- "have supported Iranian energy trade generating millions of dollars' worth of illicit revenue", according to an AFP report.

"While the United States is committed to achieving an agreement with Iran that seeks a mutual return to compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, we will continue to use all our authorities to enforce sanctions on the sale of Iranian petroleum and petrochemicals," Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said.

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The state television in Iran reported on Wednesday that the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has detained a number of foreign nationals including one of United Kingdom’s top-rated diplomats.

The state television in Iran reported on Wednesday that the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has detained a number of foreign nationals including one of United Kingdom’s top-rated diplomats. The detentions were made on accusations of spying as the IRGC observed by the help of their drones that the individuals were taking soil samples from a prohibited area of the desert, according to a report by Fars news agency. The report added that the area was quite close to the site where IRGC had earlier conducted missile exercises. The detainees included the UK deputy ambassador and he, along with his family, will be deported in the aftermath of this event. Also read | 'Bye Bye Boris' buzzes in British parliament but Johnson vows to stay in power "These spies were taking earth samples in Iran's central desert where the Revolutionary Guards' aerospace missile exercises were conducted," state TV said. The state media ran a picture which showed four people in the desert on their bicycles and in another picture, they were photographed collecting soil samples from the desert. Also read | Global Recession: Euro steady after dropping to a two-decade low Earlier, the United States said in a statement that a number of entities - located in Iran, Vietnam, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong -- "have supported Iranian energy trade generating millions of dollars' worth of illicit revenue", according to an AFP report. "While the United States is committed to achieving an agreement with Iran that seeks a mutual return to compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, we will continue to use all our authorities to enforce sanctions on the sale of Iranian petroleum and petrochemicals," Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran detains several foreign nationals, including British diplomat, for 'spying'