Iranian intelligence foils major terror plot in Sistan, Baluchestan
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Iranian security forces dismantled a heavily armed terrorist cell in Sistan and Baluchestan, uncovering US-made weapons and foiling a planned attack linked to Mossad tactics.
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A member of Iran's Revolutionary Guard stands guard at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) square in downtown Tehran, Iran, on June 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Iranian intelligence forces have successfully dismantled a heavily armed terrorist cell in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, near the border with Pakistan. The operation, conducted by the provincial General Directorate of Intelligence, resulted in the deaths of six militants and the capture of two others.
According to an official statement released on Saturday, the group had entered Iran through its eastern borders and was apprehended before it could execute its mission.
The operation uncovered a significant cache of weapons and explosives. The seven-member terrorist team, all non-Iranian nationals, was equipped with advanced military-grade gear, including laser-guided RPG-7 launchers, US-made M4 and M16 rifles, hand grenades, grenade launchers, explosive vests, and RPG anti-personnel rounds. The forces also seized multiple vehicles, motorcycles, and communication equipment.
A prolonged armed confrontation led to the neutralization of six terrorists, while two others were arrested alive. Three Iranian personnel, including two intelligence officers and a police officer, sustained injuries during the exchange.
Weapons cache includes US-made arms and explosives
Authorities confirmed that the arms seized were of foreign origin, with many identified as American-made. Intelligence sources believe the terrorists were planning to target a "critical facility" in eastern Iran, and that their infiltration route and tactics bore a resemblance to operations previously attributed to Mossad.
The terrorists reportedly trained using mock-up models of the targeted facility, a method characteristic of Israeli intelligence playbooks, particularly in light of the recent 12-day war between Iran and "Israel."
Iranian officials have long asserted that terrorist groups operating within its borders receive backing from foreign intelligence agencies, including Mossad and the CIA. The composition and equipment of the recently dismantled cell, as well as the sophistication of their plan, support these claims.
Over the past year, Iran has increased counter-terrorism operations, particularly in provinces bordering Pakistan and Iraq. Several arrests and interceptions have been made, including the capture of Mossad-linked cells and CIA-affiliated networks.
Sistan and Baluchestan’s ongoing security challenges
Sistan and Baluchestan have remained a hotspot for militant activity, with multiple attacks targeting both civilians and security forces. The province has witnessed repeated infiltration attempts by groups like Jaish al-Adl, which Iranian authorities accuse of acting as a proxy for foreign powers, particularly the United States and "Israel."
In October 2024, ten Iranian law enforcement officers were killed in a Jaish al-Adl attack in the Gohar Kuh district of Taftan County. Just last month, the same group claimed responsibility for a courthouse assault in Zahedan that killed six civilians, including a child.
Iran continues to coordinate with regional partners such as Pakistan to curb terrorist infiltration and has implemented cross-border security operations to dismantle training camps and disrupt logistics networks.
The dismantling of the latest cell underscores Iran’s ongoing efforts to combat the sophisticated and foreign-backed threats facing its eastern frontier.
