Iran says smashed 'anti-security' network led by U.S., Israel

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Tuesday its intelligence forces have identified and smashed an "anti-security" network allegedly led by U.S. and Israeli intelligence services.

The network, comprising "deceived individuals and traitors to their country," was created by Israel following its 12-day conflict with Iran in mid-June to disrupt Iran's national security between November 6 and December 21, the IRGC said in a statement published on its official news outlet Sepah News.

Members of the network were arrested in coordinated operations across several Iranian provinces, it said, without specifying the date of the operations nor identifying the detainees.

The IRGC's intelligence forces see Israel as "the U.S. proxy" in West Asia, and have accused it of shifting focus to disrupting Iran's public security after its "military failure" in the 12-day conflict.

On June 13, Israel launched major surprise airstrikes on several areas in Iran, including nuclear and military sites, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians, according to Iranian officials. Iran retaliated with waves of missile and drone attacks on Israel.

On June 22, U.S. forces struck Iran's nuclear sites at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan. On June 24, a ceasefire between Iran and Israel took effect.

(Cover: An Iranian flag waves at a park in central Tehran, Iran, April 2, 2025. /VCG)