29-03-2024 01:39 PM Jerusalem Timing

Iran’s Intelligence Service Disbands Terror Cell Prior to Elections

Iran’s Intelligence Service Disbands Terror Cell Prior to Elections

Iranian Intelligence Minister Sayyed Mahmoud Alavi said security forces disbanded two terror cells plotting terrorist attacks ahead of the February 26 elections.

Iranian Intelligence Minister Sayyed Mahmoud Alavi said security forces disbanded two terror cells plotting terrorist attacks ahead of the February 26 elections.

"We identified a Takfiri terrorist on the Southeastern borders on February 8, some 18 days before the vote. He had explosive devices and tools and was planning to strike on Friday," Minister Alavi said at a press conference in Tehran on Sunday.

According to the minister, the suspect had a magnetic bomb that could be attached to a car and detonated remotely.

"Also, on the days leading to the elections, intelligence officers were informed of terrorists' intentions to enter the country through the Western borders," Alavi noted.

"We identified a four-member terror cell last Wednesday who had tools for suicide bombings, including 6 suicide vests, electronic detonators, explosive powder, and explosive wicks," he added.

Stressing that the intelligence ministry spares no efforts to increase security in the country, Alavi said, "The intelligence ministry doesn’t allow terrorist streams to use the blind spots and distort national security and calm."

Earlier this week, Commander of Iran's Law Enforcement Police Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari said over 250,000 police and Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) troops would oversee the Parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections on Friday.

"We will deploy over 250,000 officers to regions across the country to ensure the process is carried out democratically and safely in collaboration with the IRGC," Ashtari told reporters in Tehran on Tuesday.

He noted that necessary preparations have been made to ensure the security of the Friday vote, adding that all officers will remain at the polling stations to oversee the counting of ballots.

In relevant remarks in October, Iranian Deputy Interior Minister for Security and Law Enforcement Affairs Hossein Zolfaqari underscored that the country's security and intelligence forces are monitoring the enemies' attempts to carry out espionage operations inside Iran, but they would intensify measures during the parliamentary elections.

"The infiltration attempts of spying agents are monitored by different bodies and wherever there is a ground that the enemy seeks to use it for infiltration, spying or different issues, it will be prevented or confronted legally, if necessary," Zolfaqari told FNA at the time.