Arrest of 20 Foreign Nationals in Iran Attempting to Join ISIS

The Director General of Intelligence in East Azerbaijan has stated that 20 foreign nationals intending to join the Islamic State (ISIS) have been arrested in this province. According to the Mehr News Agency, Alireza Rezaei announced on Tuesday, June 8, that the activities of the Islamic State (ISIS) are being 'completely monitored.' Mr. Rezaei did not specify the timing of the arrests or the nationalities of those arrested. Iranian officials and media have previously reported multiple arrests of Afghan and Pakistani nationals who allegedly intended to join the Islamic State. Last year, Iranian media reported the arrest of two Pakistanis who were said to be attempting to join ISIS. Meanwhile, Qasem Rezaei, the commander of the Islamic Republic's border guards, stated on April 14 that last year 'three terrorist groups' were 'destroyed' at the country's western and eastern borders, and members of these groups, including 'two Iranian nationals and one Pakistani national carrying advanced equipment,' were arrested. Mr. Rezaei also reported on January 5, 2015, the arrest of 'three Afghan citizens' who, according to him, entered Iran with 'explosive devices' and 'intended to join ISIS.' Mahmoud Alavi, Iran's Minister of Intelligence, has also reported several times on the arrest of 'terrorist' groups linked to the Islamic State in Iran. Mr. Alavi stated in early May during an interview with the 'Al-Mayadeen' television network that ISIS has attempted 'several times' to send 'terrorist groups to Iran,' and some of these groups were targeted during the tenth parliamentary elections. Iranian military commanders, especially the commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Forces, have repeatedly emphasized that the presence of ISIS forces within 40 kilometers of 'all of Iran's borders,' including Pakistan, is a 'red line' for the Islamic Republic. Ahmadreza Pourdastan has stated that if the army 'feels' this 'threat' exists, it will 'certainly respond.'