21 March 2026 :
March 20, 2026 - IRAN. 140 Individuals Arrested on Charges of Sending Images to Foreign Media and Espionage
Official domestic media have reported the arrest of at least 127 citizens in the cities of Tehran, Kazerun, and Zahedan, as well as in Alborz and Khuzestan provinces. These individuals were arrested on charges described as “sending images to foreign media and espionage.” At the same time, a video containing the forced confession of one of these individuals has been released, although the conditions under which it was recorded remain unclear. Additionally, Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced in a statement the arrest of 13 citizens and the killing of another individual by agents of this institution in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.
According to Fars News Agency, one citizen was arrested in Tehran. In the video report, it is claimed that this individual filmed locations targeted in airstrikes and sent the images to foreign media outlets. The video also includes his forced confession, though the circumstances of its recording are unknown.
Meanwhile, Mehr News Agency reported the arrest of a citizen in Kazerun by law enforcement officers. The county’s police commander stated that the individual had been “communicating via text messages with foreign media to disclose the coordinates of military and security bases.” The official added that the individual was referred to the prosecutor’s office for legal proceedings.
According to Fars, the police commander of Alborz Province announced that 41 citizens were arrested in the province. He claimed that these individuals had sent images of U.S. and Israeli attacks to foreign media.
Tasnim News Agency reported that Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced the arrest of 97 citizens. In its statement, the ministry claimed that 69 of them had intended to create unrest during the final days of the year. It also alleged that some of these individuals had participated in the protests of the month of Dey (December–January).
The statement further claimed that 13 individuals affiliated with opposition groups and allegedly supported and directly guided by Israeli intelligence services were identified and arrested in a joint operation by the Quds Headquarters of the IRGC Ground Forces and Faraja (Law Enforcement Command) in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Their locations were reported to be the counties of Chabahar, Iranshahr, and Zahedan. It was also reported that one citizen, identified as “Nematollah Shahbakhsh, known as Jamuk,” was killed during the operation.
Moreover, another four-member team affiliated with the same group was identified in hard-to-access mountainous areas around Zahedan and arrested in a joint operation by intelligence agents from Sistan and Baluchestan and Kerman provinces.
In addition, at least 11 citizens in Khuzestan Province, described as “armed and in contact with the enemy,” were identified and arrested.
The reports do not mention the identities or places of detention of these individuals.
