IRGC Claims Arrest of Members of 'Network Linked to Israel'

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that it has arrested 12 members of a 'network' linked to Israel across six provinces in Iran. The statement from this military-security body, released on Sunday, October 1st, adds that these individuals were attempting to 'carry out anti-security actions against the people.' The IRGC's statement did not provide further details about these individuals and their plans, but it referenced recent Israeli operations in Gaza and Lebanon, labeling them a 'shameful failure' of Israel and its Western allies 'in achieving their sinister and devilish goals.' The statement further claimed that Israel and its supporters were 'trying to spread the crisis into the territory of the Islamic Republic' and had 'designed a series of anti-security actions in our country.' Reuters also covered the IRGC's statement, mentioning recent Israeli operations against Hezbollah members in Lebanon, noting that tensions in the Middle East have escalated following deadly explosions of pagers and wireless devices used by Hezbollah, which are attributed to Israel. The IRGC's statement about the arrest of the 'network linked to Israel' came just four days after the announcement of the trial of an Israeli businessman accused of plotting to 'assassinate current and former Israeli prime ministers' at the behest of the Islamic Republic. The Israeli prosecution accused Moty (Mordechai) Maman of engaging in efforts to kill Benjamin Netanyahu, Naftali Bennett, and several other key Israeli officials, in line with the goals of the Islamic Republic, in exchange for money from Iranian intelligence agencies. The Israeli internal security agency views the assassination plot against senior Israeli officials as Iran's attempt to avenge the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas's political bureau. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.