Two Iranians have been charged in the US with spying for the Tehran government – photographing Jewish institutions and collecting information on the Iranian opposition.
The two, Iranian-US citizen Ahmadreza Mohammadi Doostdar and Majid Ghorbani, an Iranian living in California, were arrested on 9 August.
Details of the case have only now been released by the US justice department.
The case coincides with an increase in tension between the US and Iran.
Washington is reimposing sanctions on Iran after President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the multinational deal with Iran aimed at curbing its nuclear ambitions.
“Doostdar and Ghorbani are alleged to have acted on behalf of Iran, including by conducting surveillance of political opponents and engaging in other activities that could put Americans at risk,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers.
What are they accused of?
In or around July 2017, Mr Doostdar, 38, travelled to the US from Iran to collect information about organisations Iran sees as enemies, the indictment alleges.
These included Jewish and Israeli interests and the opposition Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK), which Iran calls a terrorist organisation bent on overthrowing the government.
Who are the Iranian dissident group MEK?
Mr Doostdar took photographs of the Jewish Rohr Chabad House, including its security features, it is alleged.
