Iran considers show trial of U.S. spies

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TEHRAN, July 3 (UPI) -- An Iranian lawmaker said Sunday the Parliament would discuss plans to try U.S. intelligence officials in absentia for allegedly recruiting spies.

Esmail Kowsar was quoted by Iran's Tabnak news agency saying the idea would be on the agenda when Parliament reconvenes, the Los Angeles Times said.

"Those American officials will be judged in absentia by Iranian courts and will be presented to the competent international courts," Kowsar told the Farsi-language agency.

The Times said Iran had 16 U.S. officials in its sites. They are accused of recruiting agents inside Iran for intelligence gathering.

While the Americans are in no particular jeopardy, there are concerns the trial will result in the names of suspected spies inside Iran being revealed and the extent of U.S. operations in the country being detailed, the newspaper said.