Iran arrests former nuclear negotiator

"The probable charge of espionage activities may be raised against him," the agency quoted an unidentified official as saying. "Mousavian was arrested because of connections and exchange of information with foreign elements."

Fars said Mousavian was summoned to the prosecutor's office Monday, where he was arrested and taken to the notorious Evin prison in Tehran. "Mousavian's case is under initial investigation and interrogation, and his release is unlikely," the agency said.

Mousavian was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team until 2005 and before that served as Iran's ambassador to Germany. He was a close ally of former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Ahmadinejad, who defeated Rafsanjani in the last presidential elections, replaced the nuclear negotiating team, including Mousavian, when he assumed power two years ago.

Rafsanjani, a high-ranking cleric, holds seats on two of Iran's most important government bodies and is considered Ahmadinejad's main political rival. Seen as a more pragmatic conservative than Ahmadinejad, Rafsanjani has taken a more conciliatory stance toward the United States and its allies over Iran's nuclear program.

Iran did not release any details about the specific charges against Mousavian, but in such cases they usually involve violating national interests or state security interests or treason.