Trump denies Iran’s claims that it arrested 17 CIA spies

US President Donald Trump on Monday denied Iran’s claims that it arrested 17 CIA spies of which some were sentenced to death.

Trump tweeted, “The Report of Iran capturing CIA spies is totally false. Zero truth. Just more lies and propaganda (like their shot down drone) put out by a Religious Regime that is Badly Failing and has no idea what to do. Their Economy is dead, and will get much worse. Iran is a total mess!”

Iran had claimed earlier that it has arrested 17 Iranian nationals allegedly recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency to spy on the country's nuclear and military sites, and that some have already been sentenced to death.

Iran announced the arrests in state media, saying the alleged spies had been captured in the 12 months to March 2019. Such announcements are not unusual in Iran, but the timing has raised concerns that Tehran is hardening its position during the tensions with Western powers.

The announcement came after Washington said it had shot down an Iranian drone, which Tehran denied.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, declined on Monday to address specifics of the arrests, but said: "The Iranian regime has a long history of lying."