Global Courant
The Intelligence Ministry implicates ISIL, but says the sophistication of the operatives points to a possible connection to Israel.
Tehran, Iran – Iran says it has thwarted 30 explosions planned to go off simultaneously in the bustling capital Tehran, creating chaos.
The 30 “terrorist explosions” were planned to take place in busy city centers, but all were prevented and 28 people were arrested in connection with the planned attacks during raids in the provinces of Tehran, Alborz and West Azerbaijan, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Information distributed by state media on Sunday.
“The explosions were planned with the aim of breaking the country’s security authority, creating an unstable image of the country, sowing despair and fear in society and causing chaos and protests right on the anniversary of last year’s riots” , the report said.
That was a reference to months of protests and unrest across Iran, which began in mid-September 2022 after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in police custody following her arrest for alleged non-compliance with Iran’s dress code.
The Intelligence Ministry said the unnamed arrested individuals were all linked to ISIL (ISIS), and some of them had a history of working with “takfiris in Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Kurdistan region of Iraq.” Takfiri is a term used to describe a Muslim who accuses other Muslims of being apostate or unbelievers, with the implied death sentence that carries.
The ministry added that although they were with the armed group, the technical nature of their operations bore a “significant similarity to the known methods and practices” of Iran’s arch-enemy Israel.
Large quantities of explosives, electronic devices to detonate them, 17 US-made pistols and associated ammunition, communications equipment, military-grade clothing, suicide vests and foreign currency were seized, the ministry said, adding that two of its agents were injured during the attack. raids.
(Al Jazeera)
Footage released by state media showed the individuals being monitored by drones before their locations were stormed and they were arrested by intelligence agents. Suspects were also shown digging up parts to make explosives that they had buried to keep hidden.
The footage showed pistols and explosive vests that had been seized, and a group of suspects tied up and blindfolded.
ISIL has claimed responsibility for an attack on the sacred Shah Cheragh Shrine in October that killed 13 people and injured dozens.
The shrine in the southern city of Shiraz was attacked with firearms for a second time in August, killing two people.
Iran also blamed ISIS for the second attack and said a number of foreigners had been arrested in connection with the operation.
For carrying out last year’s attack, two men from neighboring Afghanistan were convicted as ISIL operatives and publicly executed in early June.
For the second attack, the gunman, identified as Rahmatollah Nowruzof of Tajikistan, received two death sentences, Iran’s judiciary said Thursday.
Two other suspects, who were not identified, were sentenced to five years in prison and deportation from the Islamic republic.
