Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (I.R.G.C) announced on Tuesday that they have arrested over 50 individuals with possible links to Israel or militant groups and killed two during recent counterterror operations in Sistan and Baluchestan over the last fortnight, and killed two individuals during counter-terror operations (presstv.ir, English.news.cn, En.irna.ir).
I.R.G.C’s Quds Base and other intelligence agencies released a statement saying the detainees include terrorists and proxies connected with Israel who planned attacks against vital infrastructure and economic assets in the volatile region. Additionally, presstv.ir reported on this story
In its statement, authorities also named Jaish al-Adl, an active militant group in eastern Iran, and said one of their prominent ringleaders had been taken out in this operation; according to presstv.ir’s news channel and English.news.cn’s translation. Additionally, Weapons Were Seized with Public Cooperation as Well
Authorities confirmed they seized an impressive cache of weapons – including American-made firearms – from suspects. [English.news.cn/presstv.ir +1].
I.R.G.C. recognized local residents’ contribution as playing a “timely and essential” role by providing tips that led to arrests (English.news.cn, Presstv.ir and En.irna.ir).
Sistan and Baluchestan is located along Iran’s border with Pakistan, and has long been plagued with an insurgency problem caused by militant groups taking advantage of its rugged terrain. Recent arrests come following an escalated regional tensions due to Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites on June 13 followed by Iran retaliating with missile and drone attacks before finally leading to a ceasefire agreement on June 24 by which time Israel had apologized and agreed for any future strikes against them; these arrests follow these flare up in regional tensions marked by Israeli airstrikes on June 13 and Iranian retaliated with missile and drone attacks as Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites were due. This resulted in flare up in regional tensions, culminating with both sides agreeing on June 24 regarding ceasefire terms as per UN resolution, before Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites on June 14, followed by Iranian counterattacking against Israeli airstrikes on June 14, prompting their forces retaliated with missile and drone attacks until eventually it finally ended on 24 June. Ceasefire agreements had already taken place prior to ceasefire ceasefire agreement being announced by Iran against Israeli airstrikes on Iran on June 13, followed by Israeli airstrikes followed by Iranian counterretalations with Iran counterattacking with missile and drone attacks on 24 June 24, thus ending in ceasefire and agreement reaching this ceasefire deal on 24 June 24 agreement on 24 June 24 being called off on 26 by their nuclear and military sites on 24 June 13.
Analysts see I.R.G.C’s operations as part of an overall effort to counter external threats posed by Iran-Israel proxy warfare, amid intensifying tensions.
Iranian Allegations and Messaging By accusing Israel of involvement in domestic terror plots, Iran is signaling its readiness to defend territorial integrity and deter external interference. Reuters had earlier reported arrests related to another “terrorist team” linked to Israel near Tehran during mid-June (reuters.com/+11).
Iran views these events as proof that Israel is carrying out covert operations within its borders during a time of heightened confrontation.
International Consequences
While Iran has yet to provide definitive proof linking any detainees directly with Israeli intelligence services like Mossad, their announcement chimes with longstanding accusations by Tehran that regional and infrastructure attacks were part of an aggressive foreign power’s hybrid warfare campaign (for more on this see reuters.com.com/, Wikipedia and Press TV in Iran for more on this).
Timing suggests Iran is sending out a signal that they remain capable and determined to respond to perceived threats to Israel and their allies.
Iranian officials indicated that further investigations and arrests are under way and anticipate more I.R.G.C activity in Sistan and Baluchestan with security forces increasing patrols and community engagement to anticipate any sabotage attempts in the future.
Regional observers warn of an increased risk of violent incidents as the I.R.G.C attempts to ensure the province remains stable during an unpredictable geopolitical era.
The international community – led by American and European stakeholders – will closely scrutinize Iran’s claims about its ties with Israeli intelligence as part of an overall effort to assess potential spillover from their proxy war with Israel.