clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Iran arrests group spying for Israel’s Mossad  

July 28, 2021 at 10:08 am

Iranians burn US and Israeli flags during an anti-US protest over the killings during a US air stike of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, in the capital Tehran on 4 January, 2020 [ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images]

Iranian security forces have arrested members of a network of agents working for Israel and have seized a stash of weapons destined for use in recent protests over the country’s water shortages, local media reported yesterday.

The announcement came after nearly two weeks of protests over water shortages, mostly in the southwest region of the Islamic Republic, which turned into political riots and spread to other regions.

Local authorities have accused armed separatists of instigating clashes during the street protests, while human rights groups claim that security forces opened fire on the protesters.

Official media also quoted an official of the Israeli intelligence stating that: “Mossad operatives intended to use the equipment in urban riots and assassinations,” without giving further details.

As for the seized ammunition, the anonymous official pointed out that the seized weapons included pistols, hand grenades, rifles and ammunition: “Some of these are used to provoke clashes during protests.”

The Israeli authorities have not yet commented on the news that sheds light on Israeli intelligence activities on Iranian soil, especially after several incidents have proven to be steered by Israel.

In late 2020, Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated days after he was first targeted in Iran’s eastern city of Damavand.

READ: Iranian charged with war crimes by Swedish court for 1988 prison killing