TEHRAN -- A top official at the Foreign Ministry scorned Israel for its baseless claim that Tehran has been holding 13 Iranian Jews accused of espionage to get loans to Iran unfrozen. The official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, "It is totally baseless, Islam does not allow us to follow such dirty policies." An AFP dispatch, quoting an Israeli paper, Haaretz -- known for publishing fabricated stories -- reported that former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani wanted the Iranian Jews to exercise their influence to get loans to Iran unfrozen as a quid pro quo for the release of the 13 Iranian Jews who have been arrested on charges of espionage.

It is trash; a figment of the imagination of Haaretz, he said, adding it is true that the United States is under the influence of the Zionist regime, but we will never resort to such policies. He said the Iranian Jews who have been arrested on espionage charges will be tried. The trial will prove that we are not after bargaining through such inhumane methods.

It is a genuine case and should be followed through proper legal procedure, he said. However, it is not something new. The Haaretz daily is known for its baseless stories, specially those on Iran, he said, adding, at least all regional countries know that Haaretz stories are not reliable.