Iran's Intelligence Ministry Arrests 97 Accused of Being Israeli Spies

Iran's Intelligence Ministry announced on March 19, 2026, the arrest of 97 individuals suspected of being Israeli agents. On March 10, 2026, the ministry had previously arrested one foreigner and 30 others on charges of spying for Israel and the U.S.

The move appears to be part of a security crackdown that has seen hundreds detained since the war's start over alleged links to Israel and the U.S. Iran's Intelligence Ministry mobilized its intelligence network to identify protest organizers and intensified communication surveillance.

The police chief of Iran's Alborz province announced the arrest of 41 individuals for allegedly sending footage to overseas opposition media outlets.

Earlier, Iran's Minister of Intelligence, Esmail Khatib, was killed in an Israeli targeted airstrike in Tehran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed Khatib's death on March 18, reportedly occurring 10 days after the launch of 'Operation Epic Fury' and 'Operation Roaring Lion'.

Subsequently, on March 12, the Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that Iranian authorities had arrested approximately 200 people on charges related to the war.

Iran retaliated with cluster missile strikes on central Israel, resulting in the deaths of two elderly Israeli couples. On March 9, 2026, Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed Iran's Supreme Leader, succeeding his father.