Iran foiled terror plot in October

Iran’s intelligence minister says security forces thwarted a terrorist plot during a traditional mourning ceremony held every year in October in the central province of Isfahan.

“In the course of the… ceremony, terrorist cells were planning to launch a terror operation,” Heidar Moslehi said on Monday.

He added that Iranian intelligence officers, with the help of the police, Basij, and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, identified and arrested the terrorist, who was taking cover among tens of thousands of mourners, Mashreqnews reported.

“Intelligence alertness is only acceptable to us if this alertness leads to control and consequently the destruction of mohareb (enemy of God) groups fighting the establishment.”

Each year, thousands of Iranians flock to Mashhad-e Ardehal in early October for the Carpet Washing Ceremony or “Qali Shuyan,” which marks the martyrdom anniversary of Sultan Ali, the son of the fifth imam, Imam Muhammad Baqer (PBUH).