Iranian authorities have arrested five individuals accused of collaborating with Israel's Mossad intelligence agency in what officials claim was an organized online campaign to damage the country's public image.
According to reports from Iranian news outlets Tasnim and ISNA, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted the arrests in western Iran's Lorestan province. The suspects allegedly engaged in "calculated activities online" designed to "sow fear among the public and tarnish the image of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
The IRGC has not provided evidence linking the suspects to Mossad or detailed the specific nature of their alleged online activities. No information about the identities of those arrested has been released.
Internet Restrictions Amid Regional Tensions
The arrests come at a time when Iran is experiencing widespread internet disruptions. The government has attributed these restrictions to temporary security measures implemented during the ongoing regional conflict. Many websites and applications across the country have been partially or completely blocked since hostilities began.
Human rights organizations have frequently criticized the Iranian government for using espionage allegations against dissidents and journalists, particularly claims of collaboration with foreign intelligence services like Israel's Mossad. These accusations, rights groups argue, often serve as justification for silencing critics and implementing harsh crackdowns on dissent.
The arrests represent the latest development in escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, which have intensified in recent months amid the broader regional conflict.
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