Iran’s IRGC says it foiled weapons smuggling operation near Iraqi border

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had prevented an attempt to smuggle a large cache of weapons and ammunition into the country from neighbouring Iraq, according to Iranian state-affiliated media Tasnim.

The operation took place near the city of Baneh in northwestern Iran.

According to the IRGC, armed opposition groups described by Iranian authorities as “terrorist organisations” were allegedly attempting to bring advanced U.S.-made weapons into Iran. The IRGC claimed the groups were acting in the interests of the United States and Israel, though no evidence was publicly presented to support the allegation.

In a separate security operation in the Urmia region, Iranian forces seized explosives and ammunition, including 198 explosive devices that authorities said were intended to be used in destabilising activities inside the country.

By Sabina Mammadli