IRGC targets 52 people accused of links to Israel in southeastern Iran

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) says it has killed or detained 52 people in southeastern Iran, describing the targets as Israel-linked terrorist elements.

“Five individuals mainly foreign nationals involved in drone sabotage operations remain at large,” the statement said, adding that the accused were working with Israeli intelligence services.

There was no mention of the numbers of killed or arrested, nor names or details of the operations.

It followed reports on Tuesday by state-linked Tasnim news agency which said two were killed and 50 arrested in operations over the past fortnight in Sistan-Baluchestan province.

“The operation targeted elements affiliated with terrorist groups in the east, aiming to spread insecurity and conduct sabotage against key infrastructure and economic assets,” the Quds Base said.

The announcements come amid an intense crackdown which has taken place across Iran since the outbreak of war between the Islamic Republic and Israel, which has seen over 700 people arrested on allegations of working with Israel.

The southeastern province, notorious for having been especially restive since the 2022 Zahedan massacre, has again been the focus of the latest crackdowns.

According to the Halvash website, security forces stormed the village of Gunich in Khash County on Tuesday, firing at protesting residents.

One woman, identified as Khan-Bibi Bameri, was killed. Eleven other women, including four under the age of 18, were seriously wounded. Two of the injured remain in critical condition in intensive care at Khomeini Hospital in Khash, the report said.