Iran escapes from terror attack: Neutralizes explosives, detains suspected ISIS operatives
Iran’s intelligence ministry revealed a remarkable triumph in the battle against terrorism, announcing the successful neutralization of 30 explosives intended to wreak havoc in Tehran. In a Sunday report by Iran’s Tasnim news agency, authorities disclosed that 28 individuals, suspected to have ties with the notorious terror group Islamic State (ISIS), were apprehended in connection with the foiled terror plot.
The intelligence ministry’s statement shed light on the origins of the detained suspects, stating, “Some of the members are of Islamic State (IS), and the perpetrators have a history of being affiliated with Takfiri groups in Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Kurdistan region of Iraq.”
The sinister footprint of the militant group ISIS has left an indelible mark on Iran’s history, with several devastating attacks in its wake. Notably, the group claimed responsibility for the 2017 twin bombings targeting Iran’s parliament and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founding father of the Islamic Republic.
In a chilling incident last October, ISIS struck again, orchestrating a mass shooting at a Shiite Muslim shrine in Shiraz, central Iran, resulting in 13 lives lost and 30 wounded. The perpetrators, identified as Mohammad Ramez Rashidi and Naeem Hashem Qatali, were sentenced to the ultimate penalty – public hanging.
While the nationalities of these individuals remained undisclosed, officials indicated the involvement of individuals from neighboring Afghanistan and other countries. Their convictions encompassed charges of “corruption on earth, armed rebellion, acting against national security,” and “conspiracy against the security of the country,” according to reports.
The dawn of July 8 witnessed the solemn execution of Rashidi and Qatali on a street near the Shiraz shrine, as reported by IRNA. Meanwhile, three additional defendants in the case faced substantial prison sentences, ranging from five to 25 years, for their affiliation with the extremist group ISIS, as confirmed by Fars Chief Justice Kazem Moussavi. Iran’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism remains steadfast in the face of adversity.