Iranian forces have conducted a major operation nabbing some Takfiri terrorists and killing others in a fierce confrontation in the eastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan.
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Qods Unit, acting on a tip-off about the presence of Takfiri terrorists, deployed its special forces to Qasr-e Qand city. The security forces engaged in a firefight with the Takfiris in mountainous areas on Thursday noon, the IRGC said in a Thursday statement.
Sistan Baluchistan, Iran's largest province that shares borders with the countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan, witnesses terrorist attacks every now and then.
The statement did not provide further details about the number of terrorists killed and wounded in the clashes and their affiliation but noted that a number of the Takfiris escaped.
"During the anti-terror operation, the IRGC's Qods Headquarters fighters destroyed a vehicle laden with 600 kilograms of explosives, seized five bombs ready to be used in suicide attacks, 700 kilograms of explosives, tens of thousands of bullets and a number of weapons and ammunition," the statement read.
The IRGC stressed that the anti-terror operations will continue until all the terrorists are eliminated or captured, noting that future developments will be announced to the public.
In another operation on Wednesday, Iranian security forces killed two terrorists and arrested five others in Chabahar, another city in Sistan-and-Baluchistan province, and arrested another terrorist group in the western province of Kurdistan. Security sources say the terrorists belonged to the so-called Ansar al-Furqan group.
A number of explosive vests and some explosives and ammunitions were also seized from the terrorists.
The intensified anti-terrorist operations come after recent deadly terror attacks in the Iranian capital Tehran, which killed 17 people and injured over 50 others.
On June 7, terrorists carried out twin assaults on Iran's parliament and the Mausoleum of the late Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini. The ISIS Takfiri terrorist group claimed responsibility for the assaults. Iranian security forces have arrested nearly 100 terrorists since after the rare attack on the capital.
Saudi regime, US supporting terrorists in Iran
High ranking Iranian officials have blamed the US and its main ally in the region, Saudi Arabia, of being behind the twin terrorist attacks in Tehran.
The commander of IRGC, Major General Muhammad Ali Jafari, has said that Iran had "precise information" that Saudi Arabia "has asked terrorists to carry out operations in Iran."
The deputy chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri, made similar comments. He noted that the United States and Saudi Arabia are directing, guiding and supporting acts of terror by ISIS terrorist group.
"The ISIS terrorist group is affiliated with the US and Saudi Arabia and carries out terrorist measures under the direction, guidance and support of these two countries," he said on Tuesday.
Last May, Saudi deputy crown prince and defense minister, Muhammad bin Salman. In a television interview, he said the kingdom would bring war to Iran. "We won't wait for the battle to be in Saudi Arabia," Prince Muhammad said, without elaborating. "Instead, we will work so that the battle is for them in Iran, not in Saudi Arabia."
At a forum in Oslo on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif announced that Iran had "obtained intelligence showing that Saudi Arabia is actively propping up terrorist groups along Iranian eastern and western borders."
Hussein Amir-Abdollahian, special adviser to Iran's parliament speaker, on Wednesday said Saudi Arabia is the "prime suspect" in the terrorist attacks in Tehran.
In a tweet, the official said former Saudi intelligence chief and long-time ambassador to Washington Bandar bin Sultan had "directed the November 2013 terrorist operation against the Iranian Embassy in Beirut."
"Now, Riyadh is the prime suspect in the Tehran terrorist incidents," Amir-Abdollahian said.
Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, warned on Tuesday Tehran will not tolerate Riyadh's warmongering policies.
Iran's intelligence minister has also blamed Saudi Arabia of sponsoring terrorism in the region.
Mahmoud Alavi said that "Saudi Arabia is the sponsor of terrorist teams and we possess intelligence that many people from the neighboring countries serve as the mercenaries (of Saudi regime) to do suicide attacks in Iran."
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/7119
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