The U.S. citizen Hall Talayan, previously suspected of spying, asked for asylum in Iran, Security Minister Heydar Moslehi said, ISNA news agency reported.
According to Moslehi, she argued about the threats from the Americans, but he did not specify what kind of threats.
After some investigation it became clear that her words are groundless, after which she was expelled from the country, he said.
Jan. 6, a number of the Iranian media outlets reported that Iranian border guards in late December arrested U.S. citizen Hall Talayan on the border with Armenia in the Norduz settlement. According to them, "spy equipment or a microphone", which she kept in her teeth, was allegedly found from her.
Shortly thereafter, the state television channel Al-Alam refuted information on detention of the alleged spy. According to the channel, frontier guards sent back the U.S. citizen to Armenia, because she had no visa. However, later Iranian media continued to report on the arrest of the U.S. citizen.
On Monday, U.S. Department of State spokesman Philip Crowley said that phone the alleged figurante of scandal, who is now in Turkey.
"She's in safety, she no longer needs our help. We believe that this case was closed," he said.