The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced that Iranian security forces have dismantled a UK-linked cell and captured seven ringleaders who have been leading the recent riots inside the country.
In a statement on Sunday, the IRGC Tharallah Base in Kerman province said its forces disbanded the organized network, called Zagros, which was directly led by Britain and was comprised of active anti-Islamic Revolution elements inside and outside Iran.
It added that the network sought to overthrow the Iranian government, particularly during the recent nationwide riots.
The IRGC forces, however, managed to deal a heavy blow to the team during a successful operation and arrested seven ringleaders who played a role in planning, leading and conducting field operations in the recent riots, the statement read.
Among those detained, it said, there were some dual nationals who were trying to leave the country but failed.
It also added that the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization is pursuing the case to identify other members of the network inside and outside the country.
Iran has in recent months identified and arrested several members of spy networks affiliated to foreign secret services.
Protests erupted in several cities across Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman who fainted at a police station in mid-September and days later was pronounced dead at a hospital. The demonstrations soon turned violent.
Iranian officials blame Western countries for orchestrating the riots to destabilize the country.
