Minister of Intelligence: Several Foreign Nationals Arrested with 100 Kilograms of Explosives in Fars Province

Mahmoud Alavi, Iran's Minister of Intelligence, announced on Wednesday evening, October 13, the discovery and neutralization of a terrorist operation by Takfiri groups and the arrest of several foreign nationals in Fars Province. According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the Minister of Intelligence stated on the sidelines of the 'Sham-e Ghariban' ceremony in Tehran: 'The forces of the Ministry of Intelligence, in cooperation with other security agencies in Fars Province, managed to thwart one of the anti-security plots of Takfiri terrorist groups and prevent the commission of an inhumane crime during the Muharram ceremonies.' Mahmoud Alavi added: 'In this operation, several terrorist elements, all of whom were non-Iranian nationals, were arrested, and over 100 kilograms of explosives and related equipment were discovered and seized from the terrorists.' The Minister of Intelligence did not provide further details regarding the identity of the arrested individuals or which countries they are citizens of. Mr. Alavi also did not specify which ceremony and in which city of Fars Province the individuals intended to attack. In recent months, Iranian security and intelligence officials have repeatedly reported arrests of individuals linked to 'Takfiri' groups without providing details. Iranian officials refer to groups like the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda, as well as individuals ideologically close to Salafi groups, as 'Takfiri groups.' In July of this year, the Minister of Intelligence reported the arrest of '10 Wahhabi Takfiri terrorists' in Tehran and three border and central provinces of Iran, stating: 'They had identified fifty explosive targets.' Additionally, Iranian television aired a video stating that these individuals had received 'orders' from the Islamic State (ISIS) to carry out attacks in '50 locations in Tehran.' Meanwhile, the Minister of Intelligence also stated: 'Existing documents indicate the direction of Iran's enemies from across the borders in guiding terrorist elements to create religious conflicts within the country, which has been thwarted by the vigilance of the honorable people.' Following the deterioration of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, several Iranian officials, including Ali Shamkhani, the head of the Supreme National Security Council, have accused Riyadh of attempting to create insecurity in southeastern Iran and of 'sending weapons' and supporting 'terrorist groups' in this region.