Iran says it detains Israel-linked community planning sabotage

Iran mentioned on Saturday its safety forces had arrested a community of brokers working for Israel earlier than they have been capable of perform sabotage and “terrorist operations”, state media reported.

The announcement by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry got here amid heightening tensions with arch-enemy Israel over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

“This network’s members were in contact with (Israel’s) Mossad spy agency through a neighbouring country and entered Iran from (Iraq’s) Kurdistan region with advanced equipment and strong explosives,” the ministry mentioned in a press release carried by state media.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, which oversees Mossad, declined to remark.

Iran usually accuses its enemies or rivals overseas, corresponding to Israel, the United States and Saudi Arabia, of making an attempt to destabilise the nation.

The Intelligence ministry didn’t say how many individuals have been arrested and didn’t disclose their nationality. The community deliberate “acts of sabotage and unprecedented terrorist operations in sensitive locations”, its assertion mentioned, with out giving particulars.

Earlier this month, U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid signed a joint pledge to disclaim Iran nuclear arms. Tehran says its nuclear programme is peaceable and denies in search of nuclear weapons.