In a statement released on Wednesday night, the Ministry said that in line with its duties to counter any foreign infiltration and interference in the country, it identified “one of the largest media networks affiliated to the global arrogance.”

The network, established by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and run through the collaboration of certain Western powers, was being monitored for several months since it was multi-layered and massive and used specific communication tools and methods to transmit news and receive guidelines from foreign elements, the statement added.

It said that legal action was taken after the completion of the identification of the elements both inside and outside Iran as well as the collection of information and judicial documents.

The information about the connection of the arrested individuals with the BBC is totally substantiated and solid, the Ministry statement added.

It said that the investigation into the case will continue and added that other elements connected with the network may be arrested or summoned and some detained individuals may be released.

The statement concluded that significant details will be released in the due time.