According to the reports on Thursday (26 June), Iran has arrested 26 individuals accused of collaborating with Israel during a recent 12-day conflict between the two countries. Reports from Kurdistan24 and Al-Ain News indicate the arrests occurred in Khuzestan province and were carried out by the Intelligence Organization of the Hazrat Vali Asr Corps, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These individuals were labeled as operatives and deceived participants in the conflict, with state media claiming they confessed to actions like sabotage, spreading anxiety, and anti-security activities.
The arrests were reported shortly after Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir revealed that Israeli special forces had operated inside Iranian territory during the war. However, some sources suggest that the detentions may have occurred before Israel’s announcement. Tehran has frequently accused individuals of working with foreign intelligence services, especially Israel’s Mossad, and uses such claims to justify arrests and executions.
Alongside the arrests, Iran also announced the execution of three men accused of spying for Israel. The Iranian judiciary, led by Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, has vowed to expedite trials related to espionage and collaboration with Israel, signaling a more aggressive legal approach to alleged national security threats. This coincides with increased rhetoric from Iranian authorities about dismantling internal threats and confronting what they describe as a Zionist “fifth column.”
The crackdown has disproportionately affected minority communities, especially Kurds, who have faced waves of arrests during and after the conflict. Iran’s ethnic minorities—including Kurds, Azeris, Baloch, and Arabs—have historically faced discrimination and targeted surveillance. Human rights observers have raised concerns that Tehran may be using the guise of national security to suppress dissent and tighten control over restive regions. The situation highlights the intersection of geopolitical tensions and domestic repression inside Iran.
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Iran Arrests 26 over Alleged Israel Ties amid Crackdown on Minorities and Dissent
