Destruction of a Terrorist Network Planning Suicide Attacks in Tehran

Ali Shamkhani, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, announced the "discovery and destruction of a terrorist network" during Ramadan, stating that they "intended to carry out suicide operations in Tehran." According to ISNA news agency, Shamkhani mentioned, "During this time, the cursed ones of the earth intended to carry out movements, but a brief report led to the discovery of a network, and security forces captured a group during Ramadan that planned to execute suicide operations in Tehran." Additionally, ILNA reported that Shamkhani identified "public reports" as the "factor in discovering" this group. He did not provide further details about the arrests or the identities of the individuals involved. Mahmoud Alavi, Iran's Minister of Intelligence, has repeatedly mentioned the arrest of "terrorist" groups linked to the Islamic State in Iran without disclosing details. On Tuesday, April 31, he reported the thwarting of a plan by "terrorists" to detonate explosives in a populous area of the country. Earlier in early May, Alavi stated in an interview with Al-Mayadeen TV that ISIS had "attempted several times" to send "terrorist groups to Iran," and some of these groups were targeted during the 10th parliamentary elections. On April 31, Alavi also mentioned that in 1994, "more than 20 terrorist teams planning bombings and security-threatening actions" had been identified by the Ministry of Intelligence, and many actions were prevented based on arrests. Previously, Ahmadreza Pourdastan, commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Forces, reported on April 24 that "a group" of Islamic State forces had entered Iran in the last month of the previous year, and the Islamic Republic's forces had neutralized two of them who were carrying "explosive vests." Iranian officials have not yet provided evidence or documentation regarding the arrested individuals or the planned operations. In this context, "the arrest of 20 foreign nationals" in Iran who intended to join ISIS was reported. The Minister of Intelligence stated that more than 20 terrorist teams were identified in 1994, and the plan to detonate explosives in a populous area was thwarted. The Minister of Intelligence reported the arrest of a "terrorist" in western Iran, and the commander of Iran's border guard stated that three terrorist groups were destroyed last year. The destruction of "five terrorist groups" related to "election sabotage" was also mentioned. A security official reported an armed confrontation with a "terrorist" group in Khuzestan. The Minister of Intelligence stated that terrorist elements were arrested before the elections. The Ministry of Interior denied statements by Hashemi regarding the "arrest of three bombers."