Iran Announces Arrests, Claims US and Israel Suffering Defeats

Iranian Authorities Make Arrests Amid Ongoing Crackdown

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced that hundreds of individuals have been arrested across the country in connection with alleged “traitors” aligned with the interests of the United States and Israel. The ministry stated that 111 “pro-monarchy cells” were disrupted overnight, with operations aimed at countering opposition to the country’s theocratic establishment.

The arrests follow a series of high-profile killings, including that of security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani. Iranian authorities have also imposed a total internet shutdown on over 92 million people for a third week.

According to reports, 21 individuals were arrested specifically for sending videos to “terrorist” media outlets outside the country. Two shipments of Starlink satellite internet terminals were also confiscated while being smuggled into Iran.

State-run news agency Fars reported that some of those arrested in the city of Karaj near Tehran had burned images of and insulted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28. Mojtaba Khamenei has since been named as Iran’s new supreme leader.

Meanwhile, medical emergency services reported two fatalities and nearly 1,000 injuries related to fireworks and explosives linked with the Chaharshanbe Suri festival. The numbers were lower than last year due to reduced access to fireworks amid the ongoing conflict.

State media showed supporters and armed forces congregating in mosques, main city squares, and streets in Tehran and cities across the country overnight. Security patrols and checkpoints were also reported, as well as motorcades broadcasting religious slogans and pro-state chants from loudspeakers.

The US and Israel have declared regime change in Iran as one of their goals, with reports suggesting that they have targeted the internal state security apparatus of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iranian authorities have remained defiant, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that the Iranian establishment will not fall despite the assassinations.

Source: Al Jazeera