Iran announces dismantling ‘Israel’-backed cells in southeast

Listen to this story:

0:00

Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.

Published :

4 hours ago|

World

Authorities claim the groups were backed by ‘Israel’ and planned attacks on officials and infrastructure.
Security forces seized weapons and detained suspects amid a broader provincial crackdown.

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence said Tuesday it had dismantled several armed cells in Zahedan, the capital of Sistan and Baluchestan province, accusing ‘Israel’ of backing the groups and facilitating their entry through Iran’s eastern borders.

In a statement carried by state media, the Ministry said the cells were preparing operations aimed at destabilizing the restive province, which borders Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Officials said the alleged plans included assassinations of local security officials, attacks on public infrastructure, and attempts to exploit ongoing economic protests to provoke armed clashes with security forces.

Weapons seized

Security forces carried out coordinated raids on seven locations across Zahedan, where suspects were reportedly hiding. Authorities said they seized a large cache of weapons and equipment, including US-made firearms, automatic weapons, explosive devices, detonators, and communications gear intended for urban operations.

The Ministry did not release the number or identities of those detained, saying interrogations are ongoing to determine possible links to foreign intelligence services.

Rising regional tensions

The arrests come amid heightened regional tensions. Iranian officials have repeatedly accused the United States and ‘Israel’ of waging what they describe as a covert security campaign aimed at exploiting internal unrest.

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said the suspects were using local civilians to advance foreign agendas, adding that the incidents underscore persistent security challenges along Iran’s eastern borders.

Broader security sweep

The operation follows a wider crackdown in Sistan and Baluchestan. One day earlier, the Intelligence Ministry said it had intercepted a separate shipment of 273 weapons hidden in a transit truck.

The province has long been a flashpoint for violence, with periodic clashes between Iranian forces and armed groups, including the separatist Jaish al-Adl.