Iran's intelligence ministry said it had arrested the leader of a separatist group, dismantled two weapons smuggling cells and detained 30 people it accused of links to Israel's Mossad, Etemad Online reported on April 15.

Iran's intelligence ministry regularly announces mass arrests of alleged spies and separatists, claims that are difficult to verify independently. But has stepped up arrests and use of the death penalty in recent weeks.

The ministry said 35 people had been detained across six provinces on charges of terrorism, separatism, arms trafficking and contact with what it called "American-Zionist" intelligence services.

The arrested group leader was accused of founding an organisation seeking to separate Khuzestan province from Iran. The ministry said the group had carried out bombings and assassinations in Khuzestan, including attacks that killed an intelligence official and a Basij member.

The alleged leader was tracked down and arrested in Isfahan province, the statement said.

The ministry said "11 other members of the same group" had been arrested over the past two months and five armed members had been killed in clashes with security forces.

Two weapons smuggling cells were also broken up, the ministry said. One alleged cell was intercepted in Andimeshk, Khuzestan province, carrying 30 handguns intended for distribution across four cities. A second cell was arrested in Qasr-e Shirin, Kermanshah province, with 12 weapons and 24 magazines seized.

Separately, the ministry said it had detained 30 people across four provinces it described as agents of American and Israeli intelligence.

Those arrested included a three-member cell in Gilan province accused of planning bombings, four people in Kerman province found with homemade explosives and firearms, and others in Hamadan and Hormozgan provinces.

A further 20 people across three provinces were arrested for alleged contact with Israeli media operations.

The Israeli Intelligence agencies have not yet responded to the Iranian claims, but have been reportedly working with different groups in Iran in the recent past, including in prior protests.

In June 2025, Mossad chief David Barnea said in a rare video message that the agency would “continue to conduct covert operations inside Iran,” stressing that Israel’s intelligence reach inside the country is “extensive and ongoing” and that “we will be there, like we have been there,” JNS previously reported.