Iranian authorities detain six in alleged US-Israeli-backed terror plot

Iranian authorities said they had dismantled an armed group allegedly financed by the US and Israel during overnight operations in Khuzestan province.

The operation was carried out with the help of information provided by local residents, the Iranian news agency Fars reported, citing the country’s Main Intelligence Directorate.

According to the report, security forces identified and detained the group’s leader along with five other members.

Authorities said firearms were seized during the operation, along with four improvised explosive devices that were ready to detonate and the materials used to produce them.

Officials said the group had been planning attacks on provincial infrastructure facilities as well as on units of the Basij paramilitary force in the city of Ahvaz. The suspects were also allegedly preparing large-scale terrorist attacks in the region.

Iranian authorities said all of the group’s planned operations had been prevented.

By Tamilla Hasanova