U.S. virtual embassy is for espionage:Iranian intelligence minister

TEHRAN, Dec. 13 (MNA) – Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi said that the U.S. virtual embassy in Iran, which went online on December 6, is meant to entrap some people for espionage purposes. “It is a net and a bait to trap some people for espionage purposes, and people, particularly the youth, should be vigilant in this regard,” Moslehi told reporters on Sunday. The intelligence minister also said, “Embassy is a term which has a (clear) meaning in diplomatic protocols. The opening of an embassy in another country should be approved by that country and credentials should be presented. But they are talking about a virtual embassy. What is the meaning of virtual (in diplomatic terms)?” He went on to say that the U.S. intelligence system is “bankrupt”, and the moves such as launching a virtual embassy are due to this “bankruptcy”. “We have repeatedly said that we have a good dominance over cyberspace and virtual space, in a way that we told many countries, which have recently held elections, that the U.S. had plots for them, and even told them what they (Americans) were going to do,” he added.