Iran said on Saturday its security forces had arrested a network of agents working for Israel before they were able to carry out sabotage and "terrorist operations", state media reported.

The announcement by Iran's Intelligence Ministry came amid heightening tensions with arch-enemy Israel over Tehran's nuclear program.

"This network's members were in contact with (Israel's) Mossad spy agency through a neighboring country and entered Iran from Kurdistan region with advanced equipment and strong explosives," the ministry said in a statement carried by state media.

(With input from Reuters)