As Israeli and U.S. fighter jets continue to pound military targets across the Islamic Republic, Iranian authorities have launched a massive domestic crackdown. On Sunday, local media reported that dozens of people have been arrested across several provinces, accused of sharing sensitive information with Israel. These arrests come as a significant blow to internal stability, suggesting that the “Zionist enemy” has established a deep network of informants on the ground to guide the ongoing air assault.
Target Details Sent to Israel
In northwestern Iran, the semi-official Tasnim news agency confirmed that 20 individuals were detained after being accused of sending location details of military and security assets directly to Israeli intelligence. This wave of arrests isn’t limited to active war zones. In the northeast, a region that has so far avoided the brunt of the airstrikes, another 10 people were picked up. Authorities claim these individuals were collecting data on sensitive economic infrastructure, signaling a fear that Israel is preparing to widen its target list to include the nation’s power and financial grids.
The “Mercenary” Narrative
The Revolutionary Guards’ intelligence organization has framed these arrests as a preemptive strike against a broader Western conspiracy. In a statement, provincial officials claimed that the U.S. and Israel are activating “mercenaries and spies” to trigger internal riots while the country is distracted by the invasion. This rhetoric mirrors the government’s response to the deadly anti-government protests in January, where the state used similar “foreign agent” narratives to justify the most violent crackdown in the history of the Islamic Republic.
A New Phase of the Assault
The crackdown follows reports that Israel has entered a new phase of its military strategy. According to sources briefed on the matter, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have begun targeting specific security checkpoints and internal command centers based on real-time tip-offs from informants. This shift from high-altitude bombing to intelligence-led tactical strikes suggests a high level of infiltration within the country. While the state attempts to project strength through these mass arrests, the continued accuracy of the airstrikes hints at a persistent security breach.
Civil Unrest and Sabotage
The tension is also boiling over into acts of symbolic defiance. In Lorestan province, three individuals were detained for “disturbing public opinion” and burning mourning symbols, a serious offense in the clerical establishment. These acts of sabotage, combined with the accusations of espionage, paint a picture of a nation fighting a war on two fronts: one against an external superpower and another against a growing number of its own citizens who may be seeking the downfall of the current regime.
