Nine arrested on espionage charges in Iran’s Kerman province

Authorities in southeastern Iran's Kerman province have arrested nine people on charges of espionage and security-related offenses, according to Iranian officials.

The suspects are accused of collaborating with opposition networks and engaging in activities deemed harmful to regional security, including espionage, transporting and distributing weapons, and providing real-time intelligence to hostile actors, Tasnim reports.

According to officials, the operation was carried out by the intelligence unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in coordination with judicial authorities. Four weapons were reportedly seized during the arrests.

The statement also referred to additional security operations conducted by forces described as the “Unknown Soldiers of Imam Mahdi,” a term used by Iranian authorities for intelligence operatives. These operations allegedly led to the identification and detention of six individuals accused of espionage, 19 described as “Takfiri militants,” and 47 others suspected of involvement in weapons and ammunition activities.

Separately, the Kerman Province Attorney General’s office reported that six more individuals linked to weapons-related offenses had been identified and detained.

By Sabina Mammadli