Police authorities in Iran’s Qom province announced on Saturday the arrest of 22 individuals suspected of having ties with Israeli intelligence services, according to the state news agency Fars.
The arrests took place between June 13 and today. The suspects are accused of actions aimed at destabilizing public opinion and collaborating with a hostile state.
“22 people have been identified and arrested on charges of connections with the Zionist regime’s intelligence services, shaking public opinion, and supporting the criminal regime,” Fars reported, citing the head of police intelligence in Qom province.
This development follows an earlier announcement of 24 other arrests on similar charges of spying for Israel and attempts to tarnish Iran’s image.
Among those arrested, Iranian media reports include a European citizen, though details on nationality or arrest date have not been disclosed.
Meanwhile, the Norwegian organization “Iran Human Rights” stated that at least 223 people have been arrested recently across the country on charges of collaboration with Israel.
The organization warned that “the actual number may be even higher,” raising concerns about the increasing number of such arrests in Iran.
