TEHRAN: Iran denied Saudi charges of espionage as “baseless” after a court in the Sunni kingdom announced death sentences for 15 people. “Saudi Arabia must not seek to bring baseless accusations against Iran with the intention of political gains and increasing tensions in the region,” foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said. “Iran has had no activity against international law and diplomatic principles in Saudi Arabia,” he said, quoted by state news agency IRNA. He said Riyadh had not passed on “any information to the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the alleged Iranian person” reportedly among the accused. “Iran’s principle policy toward Persian Gulf countries is mutual respect, good neighbourliness, and no interference in domestic affairs of other countries,” said Ghasemi. A Saudi court earlier on Tuesday condemned 15 people to death for spying for the Sunni kingdom’s regional rival Iran, local media and a source close to the case said.