Iran sentences two 'spies' working for US, Saudi Arabia amid soaring Gulf tensions

A spokesman for Iran's judiciary said on Tuesday that two spies allegedly linked to the US and Saudi intelligence services have been convicted amid soaring tensions with the countries.

Gholam Hossein Esmaili made the comment to reporters on Tuesday, the Iranian Students' News Agency reported.

Esmaili said sentences have been issued against the alleged spies recently without going into further detail.

The report comes amid increasingly bellicose rhetoric between the US and Iran and days after mysterious attacks against tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters and the bombing of a Saudi pipeline - the latter claimed by Iran-aligned Yemeni rebels.

Tensions have risen this month after Washington announced more economic measures against Tehran, then deployed a carrier group and bombers to the Gulf over alleged Iranian "threats."

Earlier this month, Iran sentenced a British Council worker to 10 years in prison for "cooperating with English spying agencies".