Iran claims seizure of Israeli nuclear files

Iranian intelligence agencies have obtained a large trove of sensitive Israeli documents, some related to the nuclear plans and facilities of Tehran's arch enemy, Iran's state media reported.

"Although the operation to obtain the aforementioned documents was carried out some time ago, the enormous volume of documents and the necessity of safely transporting the entire shipment into the country have caused a news embargo until it was ensured that all of them reach the intended protected locations," Iranian state TV reported, citing unnamed sources.

U.S President Donald Trump has threatened Iran with bombing if Tehran did not come to an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program. But Trump in April reportedly blocked a planned Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear sites in favor of negotiating a deal with Tehran.

Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib, said sensitive Israeli nuclear documents obtained by Tehran would be released soon.

Khatib said these were related to Israel's nuclear facilities and its relations with the United States, Europe and other countries, and to its defensive capabilities.

Khatib said the "comprehensive and complex" operation was carried out inside the occupied territories in transferring “strategic, operational, and scientific information” to the Islamic Republic.

The documents were acquired with the assistance of informants on the ground and transported to Iran under strict secrecy. The files will be partially released to the public in the coming days, as per reports.

They also noted that the vast quantity of documents, along with accompanying images and videos, has required an extensive amount of time to review.

Informed sources further revealed that the arrest of Israeli settlers accused of providing services to Iran occurred only after the documents had already been safely transported out of the occupied Palestinian territories.

There was no immediate official comment from Israel.