Iran's Minister of Intelligence Reports Arrest of 'Three Suicide Operatives' at the Border

Iran's Minister of Intelligence announced the arrest of three individuals who allegedly intended to carry out 'suicide operations' during the last days of the month of Safar at religious gatherings in Tehran. According to the IRNA news agency, Mahmoud Alavi stated on Wednesday, December 3, that three 'leaders' of what he termed 'terrorist groups' were apprehended at the Iranian border by border guards. He added, 'These three who have been arrested intended to carry out suicide operations during the last days of Safar at religious gatherings in Tehran.' Alavi did not mention the identities of the arrested individuals or the exact location of their capture. On November 21, the Minister of Intelligence also reported the arrest of 'individuals' who, according to him, intended to bomb the religious city of Qom during the days of Muharram this year. On October 7, he also mentioned the discovery of two explosive vests, stating that these vests were prepared for an explosion on the day known as Quds Day in Iran, the last Friday of Ramadan, in two Iranian provinces. He also reported on 'confrontation with the Al-Furqan group and the discovery and neutralization of their heavy explosive shipments,' which were supposed to be detonated 'in one of Iran's populous and sacred cities.' Reports indicate that Al-Furqan is a militant group active against the Iranian government in the Sistan and Baluchestan province. The Young Journalists Club reported in 2012 that this group has been active since 1996. Some officials of the Islamic Republic have indicated that several of these groups have transnational connections and have intended to carry out bombings and 'suicide operations' in Iran in recent months. For instance, Hossein Zolfaqari, the Deputy Minister of Security and Law Enforcement, stated on October 21 that 'armed and guerrilla groups not located in our region are carrying out scattered attacks.' He also reported that 24 groups intended to enter Iranian territory for 'suicide operations,' but Iranian forces prevented their entry and 'destroyed' two groups before they could enter the country. Security officials of the Islamic Republic have also reported the arrest of several 'ISIS operatives' in recent months. The Minister of Intelligence had previously reported the arrest of 130 individuals linked to 'takfiri' groups in the country. In his continued remarks on Wednesday, the Minister of Intelligence stated, 'Political movements in the country can continue their activities by adhering to four conditions. These four conditions include accepting Islam, operating within the framework of the system, recognizing the principle of Velayat-e Faqih, and accepting the Supreme Leader in the position of Velayat-e Faqih.' Alavi added, 'The eleventh government has opened its arms to all groups and factions, and the country cannot progress without the unity of all groups.' Ebrahim Yazdi, Secretary-General of the Freedom Movement of Iran, on December 19, in a letter referencing a post on the Ministry of Intelligence's website dated June 18, 2012, questioned Alavi about what changes have been made in the ministry's perspective and behaviors regarding the previous government's analyses of the Iranian opposition. He also posed three questions to Mahmoud Alavi, requesting explanations regarding the ministry's actions to lift the house arrest of the leaders of the 2009 election protests, the release of political party members, and the reactivation of reformist parties.