Authorities in Iran’s Qom province have confirmed the arrest of 22 individuals allegedly linked to Israeli intelligence networks, further intensifying concerns over foreign espionage operations within the country.
According to a report published on Saturday by the state-affiliated Fars news agency, the arrests were made over the past week and are part of a broader crackdown on suspected collaborators accused of “disturbing public opinion” and expressing support for what officials referred to as the “criminal regime” of Israel.
The report cited intelligence officers from the provincial police who stated that the suspects had been under surveillance for their alleged involvement in activities aimed at undermining national security and promoting narratives perceived as favourable to Israel.
Authorities claim these individuals were in direct communication with Israeli operatives and had been tasked with spreading disinformation online and offline to destabilise the country’s image domestically and abroad.
This latest operation in Qom follows Thursday’s announcement by Iranian police regarding the detention of 24 others on similar charges. These arrests, which were carried out across multiple provinces, reportedly targeted individuals accused of espionage and cyber activity designed to damage the Islamic Republic’s international standing.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the semi-official Tasnim news agency revealed on Friday that Iranian security services had detained a European national, suspected of engaging in espionage on behalf of Israel.
The report, however, withheld details about the individual’s nationality and the specific timeline of the arrest. The disclosure raises questions about the possible involvement of foreign actors and underscores the heightened security atmosphere gripping the country amid its tense geopolitical standoff with Israel.
Iran has long accused Israel of carrying out sabotage operations within its borders, particularly targeting its nuclear programme and military infrastructure. Over the years, Tehran has routinely reported uncovering espionage plots Fallegedly orchestrated by Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, although independent verification of such claims is rare due to limited access and opaque legal proceedings.
In recent months, the Iranian judiciary has escalated its handling of espionage cases, with several individuals facing swift trials and subsequent executions. Human rights organisations have voiced serious concern over the growing number of arrests and the lack of transparency surrounding the charges and judicial processes involved.
Norway-based human rights organisation, Iran Human Rights (IHR), reported that at least 223 people have been arrested nationwide over alleged connections with Israeli intelligence.
The group warned that the actual number of detainees may be considerably higher, citing fears of secret trials and unreported detentions. IHR also expressed apprehension that these arrests could be used as tools for political suppression under the guise of national security enforcement.
Iran’s latest wave of arrests underscores its continued posture of zero tolerance toward any form of alleged foreign interference, particularly by its arch-foe, Israel. As regional tensions remain volatile, the government appears determined to reinforce internal security measures, even as human rights watchdogs raise alarms over the implications for civil liberties and due process.
What you should know
Iran has detained 22 people in Qom province over alleged ties to Israeli intelligence, bringing the total number of espionage-related arrests to nearly 70 in just days.
The crackdown, part of Tehran’s intensified focus on internal threats, includes the arrest of a European national and reflects broader tensions with Israel amid ongoing fears of sabotage and disinformation campaigns.
