Iran accuses four of plotting overthrow

TEHRAN, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Authorities in Iran said Tuesday they arrested four people they claim were paid by the United States to instigate a change in regime.

In a statement, Ali Reza Jamshidi, a spokesman for Iran's judiciary, said the four were trying to recruit others, but did not reveal additional details of what the suspects were conspiring to do, CNN reported.

The four allegedly were part of a network "financed by the U.S. Department of State and the Central Intelligence Agency and is executing plans aimed at overthrowing the Iranian regime," Jamshidi said in a statement.

He said final sentencing for the detainees would be announced soon, the Kuwait news agency KUNA reported. The Iranian spokesman said the network "held training courses and sent its members to other countries" with the goal of unseating the Iranian government.