More than a dozen CIA spies caught in Iran and Lebanon

[thewiseguy]

In a significant failure for the United States in the Mideast, more than a dozen spies working for the CIA in Iran and Lebanon have been caught and the U.S. government fears they will be or have been executed, according to four current and former U.S. officials with connections to the intelligence community.

The spies were paid informants recruited by the CIA for two distinct espionage rings targeting Iran and the Beirut-based Hezbollah organization, considered by the U.S. to be a terror group backed by Iran.

"Espionage is a risky business," a U.S. official briefed on the developments told ABC News, confirming the loss of the unspecified number of spies over the last six months."Many risks lead to wins, but some result in occasional setbacks," the official said.

Robert Baer, a former senior CIA officer who worked against Hezbollah while stationed in Beirut in the 1980's, said Hezbollah typically executes individuals suspected of or caught spying.

http://gma.yahoo.com/exclusive-cia-spies-caught-fear-execution-middle-east-233819159.html

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. Where's Scooter Libby?

:shrug:

[FarCenter]

2. Probably on the order of 40 to 50 spies identified

From there, Hezbollah's internal security arm identified at least a dozen informants, and the identities of several CIA case officers.

...

In Iran, intelligence minister Heidar Moslehi announced in May that more than 30 U.S. and Israeli spies had been discovered and an Iranian television program, which acts as a front for Iran's government, showed images of internet sites used by the U.S. for secret communication with the spies.