Iran arrests 500 accused of sharing information with enemies amid escalating strikes

Iran has arrested 500 people accused of spying and sharing sensitive information with enemies, police chief Ahmadreza Radan said, as U.S. and Israeli air strikes continue targeting sites across the country.

WEBDESK – MediaBites News – Source Reuters

Iranian authorities have arrested around 500 people accused of sharing sensitive information with enemy forces, highlighting internal security concerns amid ongoing regional tensions, the country’s police chief said, as U.S. and Israeli air strikes continue to hit targets across Iran.

According to Iranian police chief Ahmadreza Radan, many of the cases involve individuals suspected of providing intelligence used to target locations during the ongoing conflict, including filming strike sites and transmitting footage to foreign actors, revealing the methods of espionage at play.

Iranian state-linked media also reported dozens of additional arrests across different regions of the country, underscoring the regional security challenges Iran faces amid ongoing conflicts.

In northwestern Iran, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency said 20 people were detained after prosecutors accused them of sending location details of military and security installations to Israel.

Meanwhile, in northeastern Iran, which has largely avoided direct air strikes, authorities arrested 10 individuals suspected of gathering intelligence on sensitive sites and economic infrastructure, according to the same report.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards intelligence branch claimed the arrests were part of efforts to counter what it described as attempts by Israel and the United States to activate “spies and mercenaries” inside the country, indicating a tightening of internal security measures and potential diplomatic repercussions.

Separately, Iran’s Student News Network reported that three people were detained in the western province of Lorestan on accusations of attempting to stir public unrest and damage religious mourning symbols.

The arrests come as the conflict enters a new phase, with reports suggesting that Israeli forces have begun targeting security checkpoints and other sites based on information from informants on the ground.

The tensions follow months of unrest inside Iran, including widespread anti-government protests earlier this year that authorities blamed on foreign interference. Iranian officials have repeatedly accused Israel and the United States of backing efforts to destabilize the country.

The latest arrests underscore Tehran’s growing concern about internal espionage and security threats as the conflict with Israel and its allies intensifies, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance.