Iran Nabs Three Suspected IS Jihadists

Iranian authorities have detained three individuals suspected of affiliating with the Islamic State (IS) group, who allegedly intended to carry out attacks during the final celebrations of Ramadan, as reported by state media on Saturday. The apprehensions occurred in Karaj, located in the Alborz province to the northwest. Among those captured was Mohammed Zaker, described by the official IRNA news agency as a high-ranking member of IS.

Details regarding the timing of these arrests and the nationality of the suspects remain undisclosed. Additionally, IRNA mentioned the detention of eight others believed to be connected to the plot, though specifics about these accomplices were not provided.

Separately, local media disclosed the capture of two purported IS affiliates in Qom, a revered city, earlier in the week.

This announcement follows a January incident where IS took responsibility for dual bombings in Kerman, a city in southern Iran, resulting in over 90 fatalities. These bombings targeted a memorial event for Qasem Soleimani, a distinguished Revolutionary Guards general who died in a 2020 US drone strike in Iraq.

Iran has consistently confronted threats from jihadist and other militant factions over the years. On a related note, IRNA updated that the death toll from recent jihadist attacks near the Pakistan border climbed to 15, though further details were not expanded upon. Prior reports indicated that clashes with the Jaish al-Adl jihadist group resulted in the deaths of 10 security personnel and 18 group members. Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni Muslim insurgent group established in 2012, is recognized as a “terrorist” organization by both Iran and the United States.