The South African Security Agency (SSA) allegedly spied on Iran, Al-Jazeera reported on its website.

According to the report, Al-Jazeera was in possession of documents --mainly exchanges between the SSA and its counterparts around the world -- showing South Africa was monitoring Iranian agents.

Al-Jazeera stated that the South African intelligence agents reported that the Iranians were also interested in technology used for satellite interception, online surveillance, and hacking.

South African security services were concerned at Iran's efforts to use official and unofficial channels in South Africa to beat western-imposed sanctions, Al Jazeera reported.

Al-Jazeera was in possession of the 128-page report "Operational Target Analysis" which was written by South African spies and profiled dozens of alleged Iranian operatives.

According to the report, British agents had also monitored Iran's activities in South Africa.

The agents also profiled a number of carpet shops, publishers, and other small businesses they believed had links to Iran's intelligence agencies.