Tehran: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that security forces have dismantled a group allegedly linked to the US and Israel in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. The operation resulted in the death of one individual and the arrest of six others.

According to Anadolu Agency, the IRGC Ground Force's Quds Headquarters, a regional command responsible for operations in southeastern Iran, revealed in a statement that the group was targeted in a joint operation shortly after entering the Saravan area, near the border with Pakistan. The operation was conducted with the involvement of the provincial Intelligence Department, the IRGC Intelligence Organization, and Iran's police force.

During the operation, security forces seized 20 packages of explosives and related equipment, along with a significant quantity of light and semi-heavy weapons, ammunition, and Starlink communications equipment. The IRGC stated that the group had plans to execute attacks against predetermined targets in the southern parts of Sistan and Baluchestan province.

The IRGC further alleged that the group was connected to the US and Israel and was part of a broader strategy in the US war against Iran. The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran escalated on February 28, with attacks targeting military, nuclear, and infrastructure sites across Iran. In response, Tehran launched missile and drone strikes against Israeli and US military facilities in the region.

Despite a memorandum of understanding reached between Iran and the US in June aiming to end hostilities, tensions have resurfaced due to disputes over its implementation.