Iran arrests ten in Lorestan over alleged espionage amid hunt for Israeli spies

Iranian authorities have announced the arrest of ten individuals accused of espionage on behalf of Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, in the western province of Lorestan.

The detainees are alleged to have engaged in propaganda against the Iranian government alongside spying activities, Caliber.Az reports per Iranian media.

Dozens of individuals have been arrested in Iran on suspicion of collaborating with Israel, a report by Iranian media said on June 22.

"At least 52 people have been detained in Iran on charges of manipulating public opinion, possessing drones or drone components, filming sensitive sites, and sending footage to opposition media," the report noted.

The agency noted that such arrests are steadily increasing in both Iran and Israel, amid the escalating military confrontation between the two countries. The United States has also begun to play a more active role in the conflict, further intensifying tensions across the region.

Since June 13, in the wake of heightened hostilities between Iran and Israel, Iranian authorities have initiated an extensive internal security crackdown targeting individuals suspected of espionage or collaboration with Israel’s intelligence service, Mossad.

On June 21, security forces apprehended 22 suspects in Qom Province accused of links to Israeli spy networks, incitement against the government, and aiding Israeli interests. This followed the arrest of 24 individuals on June 20, including one European national, on charges of espionage and efforts to undermine Iran’s international standing.

As of June 22, at least 223 people (excluding an additional 52 arrested recently) have been detained nationwide on allegations of cooperating with Israeli intelligence, according to the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights. The organization cautioned, however, that the actual figures are likely much higher due to the opaque nature of these operations and limited public disclosure.

By Vafa Guliyeva