Iran arrests top ISIS operative for planning attacks during Ramadan

Iranian police announced on Saturday the arrest of a senior Islamic State operative and two other members of the group, accused of planning suicide attacks next week during celebrations marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

According to Iranian media reports, police said Mohammad Zak, known as “Ramesh”, and two others were arrested in Karaj, west of the capital Tehran, after the clashes. Eight other people accompanying the men were also detained, they said.

The Islamic State, which harbors a strong hatred for Iran’s dominant Shia sect, claimed responsibility for two January bombings in Iran during commemorations marking the fourth anniversary of the assassination of top Iraqi commander Qasem Soleimani. responsible for the incident, which resulted in nearly 100 deaths and dozens of injuries. Completed by American drones in 2020.

Iran arrested 35 people in January, including a commander of the Islamic State’s affiliate in Afghanistan, ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), for alleged involvement in two January 3 bombings in the southeastern city of Kerman related.

On March 22, terrorists opened fire with automatic weapons at a concert hall near Moscow, killing at least 144 people in the worst attack in Russia in 20 years, claimed by the Islamic State.

U.S. intelligence sources say the January 3 attack in Iran and the March 22 Moscow shooting were both carried out by ISIS-K.

Iran has informed Russia of a possible major attack on its territory, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

In 2022, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on a Shia holy site in Iran that killed 15 people. Early attacks claimed by the Islamic State include two bombings in 2017 targeting Iran’s parliament and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic.

The “Islamic State” once occupied large areas of Iraq and Syria, implemented a reign of terror, and instigated lone wolf attacks in Western countries.