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Iran Reports 500 Arrests in Expanding Crackdown as IRGC Targets Alleged Spies

Authorities frame the detentions as a wartime response to alleged espionage.

Overview

  • Police chief Ahmad Reza Radan said 500 people were detained for sharing information with “enemies,” identifying 250 as significant cases and describing a busted spy group operating across three provinces.
  • IRGC intelligence in West Azarbaijan reported five arrests for sending footage to the Iran International channel and alleged links to Mossad.
  • Tasnim, as cited by News18, reported the arrest of ten foreign nationals in northeastern Iran on spying accusations, with no nationalities disclosed.
  • Security forces issued explicit threats of lethal reprisals to deter further unrest, warning of “no mercy” and a response “stronger than January 8.”
  • A UN Special Rapporteur’s report presented on March 16 detailed hospital raids, arrests of wounded protesters and medical staff, and a near‑total digital shutdown beginning January 8.