Iranian authorities have arrested 22 individuals suspected of having ties to Israeli intelligence services, police in Qom province announced on Saturday, June 21, according to the state-affiliated Fars news agency.
The arrests, which reportedly occurred between June 13 and June 22, are part of a wider crackdown by Iranian security forces targeting individuals accused of collaborating with foreign intelligence networks.
“Twenty-two people were identified and arrested on charges of links to the Zionist regime’s spy services, spreading public unrest, and supporting the criminal regime,” Fars quoted the head of police intelligence in Qom as saying.
The announcement follows a statement on Thursday, June 19, from Iranian police—reported by the Tasnim news agency—that 24 others had been detained for alleged espionage and efforts to damage Iran’s international image. On Friday, Tasnim also reported the arrest of a European national on spying charges, though authorities have not disclosed the individual’s nationality or the exact date of the arrest.
Iran routinely reports the arrest of individuals it accuses of espionage, often alleging connections to Israeli or Western intelligence agencies. In recent weeks, several people convicted of espionage charges have reportedly been executed.
Norway-based human rights group Iran Human Rights stated that at least 223 people have been detained across the country on suspicion of collaborating with Israel. The organization warned that the actual number may be significantly higher due to limited transparency and restricted access to official information.
The arrests come amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, with both countries accusing each other of covert operations and cyberattacks. Iranian authorities have ramped up internal surveillance and security measures in response to growing regional instability and geopolitical pressure.
