Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has detained several foreigners, including Britain's second most senior envoy in Tehran, for alleged acts of spying such as taking soil samples in restricted areas, state TV reported on Wednesday.
It did not say when they were detained or whether they were still under arrest. Britain said the reports were "completely false".
"These spies were taking earth samples in Iran's central desert where the Revolutionary Guards' aerospace missile exercises were conducted," state TV said.
Iranian state TV showed what it said was footage of Giles Whitaker and his family in central Iran, where the British diplomat appeared to be taking ground samples.
It reported that it was near an area where a missile test was being conducted by the Guards.
"Whitaker was expelled from the city after apologising," the TV report said.
But a representative of Britain's Foreign Office said: "Reports of the arrest of a British diplomat in Iran are completely false."
Samuel Heath, UK spokesman in the US, tweeted: "He is not even posted in Iran any more."
One of those detained was identified by state TV as the husband of Austria's cultural attache in Iran. Austrian officials were not immediately available to comment.
The TV also showed a picture of a third foreigner, identified as Maciej Walczak, a university professor in Poland, who it said was visiting Iran as a tourist.
The TV report ran footage allegedly showing Mr Walczak and three colleagues collecting earth samples in another area after visiting Iran on a scientific exchange programme.
It said their sample collection also coincided with a missile test, in Iran's southern Kerman province.
The Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners in recent years, mostly on espionage and security-related charges.
Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to win concessions from other countries through arrests on security charges that may have been trumped up.
Tehran denies arresting people for political reasons.
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Teaching in coronavirus times
The Year Earth Changed
Directed by:Tom Beard
Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough
Stars: 4
