Iranian authorities have detained four suspects, including two foreigners, in the northwest of Iran for the alleged involvement with the US-Israel-linked espionage network.
Reports by the Tasnim news agency detailed that the suspects were accused of importing satellite internet equipment, including Starlink, which is contrary to the Iranian law.
The arrest of the four suspects follows the near-total blackout in Iran that has been ongoing for seven weeks.
However, the nationality of the suspects arrested in Iran is yet to be disclosed by the arresting authorities.
During the blackout, Iran’s intelligence agency confirmed the dismantling of networks aimed at “sabotaging the country”.
According to Iran’s intelligence agency, the network was linked to the United States, Israel, and the United Kingdom in Kerman City in southeastern Iran.
Arrests on US-Israel-linked Espionage Network in Iran
Approximately 51 people were arrested during a network espionage dismantling mission for an armed organization, and inciting unrest among the residents in Iran by the agency.
“The IRGC Intelligence Organization of Kerman Province identified and struck 51 main enemy elements and spies,” part of a statement read from the IRGC.
In addition to the arrest, Iran’s intelligence agency identified and neutralized several spy cells and related groups during the operation.
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Among the arrested, three espionage teams were linked to enemy intelligence services, two cells affiliated with Baha’ism, a four-member armed operational cell affiliated with monarchists, and six media operatives linked to the terrorist Iran International network.
Additionally, the IRGC Intelligence Organization of East Azarbaijan Province, in its second operation, arrested seven more individuals affiliated with monarchist terrorist groups.
IRGC explained that the arrest followed the US and Israel’s unprovoked aggression against the Islamic Republic in late February.
Iranian authorities have made several arrests of Iranians who have cooperated with the enemy states of Iran since the commencement of the US-Israel war on Iran.
IRGC operations across provinces in Iran lead to the arrest of suspects alleged to be linked to the networks that are disruptive in Iran.
A total of 127 arrests have been made involving links to the US, Israel, and UK for espionage, according to the IRGC, with 7 in East Azerbaijan,69 arrests in Mazandaran, and 51 in Kerman.
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Starlink Possession in Iran
On April 13, 2026, 10 people in Qom province were arrested due to the use and possession of Starlink satellite internet and data sharing, according to the head of the FATA police.
The law enforcement officials seized the internet terminals and equipment, terming the possession as anti-security goods, and those in possession could face legal action.
In a separate case, during a March operation, 46 people were arrested, and 139 Starlink devices were seized from a smuggling network in Iran.
