Iran dismantles Israeli-US spy and espionage network in Mazandaran
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The intelligence units were reportedly operating under the cover of commercial companies, charities, and cultural groups to collect intelligence and build spy networks.
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Iranian Revolutionary Guard cadets march during an annual military parade, on September 21, 2024. (AP)
The commander of Karbala Regional Corps in Iran's IRGC has revealed that it has dismantled Israeli-American spy and espionage networks in Mazandaran Province.
"Thanks to precise intelligence awareness, we were able to dismantle infiltration and espionage networks affiliated with American, Israeli, and some hostile intelligence agencies," the commander said in an interview with the Tasnim News Agency.
Brigadier General Siavash Moslemi, head of the Karbala Corps, further added, "Iran's enemies, including American and Israeli intelligence agencies, as well as some hostile countries in the region, are always seeking to infiltrate the country," pointing out one way these agencies infiltrate Iran is through "Using the cover of foreign nationals and individuals who frequently visit Iran."
According to Brig. Gen. Moslemi, these units work under the guise of commercial companies, as well as cultural and charity groups to collect intelligence or form spy networks, and Iran has been observing and identifying these networks which try to create terrorist or rebel groups.
Mazandran Province, which is located in northern Iran, "is under threat due to its geographical location and special circumstance," he further explained.
Iran combats spying, sabotage attempts
Iranian investigations concluded in September 2024 that "Israel" had been backing sabotage groups who were carrying out terrorist attacks at Iran's borders according to IRGC Commander Brig. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour.
The Islamic Revolution Gaurd Corps announced in the same month that it identified and dismantled a wide "Israel"-affiliated spy network that was operating in six provinces in Iran, stating that it arrested 12 "operatives collaborating with the Zionist regime," who were reportedly involved in "planning to take action against the security of the Iranian people."
The Iranian Intelligence Ministry also announced it dismantled a separatist terrorist organization linked to "Israel" last October, with the ministry's statement saying, "This separatist terrorist group aimed to enter West Azarbaijan Province from Iraq's Kurdistan Region with the goal of inciting street riots, carrying out assassinations, and generating insecurity."
In June 2024, an Israeli agent was caught in the province of Ardabil in an ambush when he tried to flee Iran, "Through one of the social networks, he was in contact with high-ranking officers of the Mossad, and under the guise of doing an editorial job, he would collect information needed by the Mossad from inside the country," Ardabil Prosecutor Jalal Afaghi explained.
Iran similarly captured a Mossad propagandist in Qom Province earlier in June, where he was identified and detained after multiple attempts to incite local unrest, and investigations revealed that the propagandist held several documents that confirmed his collaboration with the Mossad and several anti-Iran media outlets.
