Iranians burn Israeli flags during a demonstration last year [REUTERS]

The sentence against Ali Ashtari, 43, who was arrested one and a half years ago, was handed down by an Iranian revolutionary court on Monday.

An Iranian official said that Ashtari can appeal his sentence.

Another official quoted on Iran's state TV website said Ashtari "relayed sensitive information on military, defence and research centres" to Israel's Mossad spy agency.

The verdict comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, over Tehran's nuclear energey programme.

Israel, backed by the US, says Iran is covertly developing atomic weapons while Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes.

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