TEHRAN – Iranian security and intelligence agencies have announced the successful dismantling of several organized terror networks and “ISIS-style” cells in a nationwide sweep, in the aftermath of what they describe as foreign-orchestrated attempts to destabilize the country.

The operations, involving the Ministry of Intelligence, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Law Enforcement Command (LEC), have led to the capture of hundreds of ringleaders and operatives linked to U.S. and Israeli handlers.

These cells are accused of hijacking legitimate economic grievances to incite a “hybrid war” against the Islamic Republic.

In the western province of Hamedan, intelligence officials reported the arrest of 148 “primary ringleaders.”

According to a statement by local intelligence officials on Friday, these individuals were reportedly embedded within networks tied to the Israeli regime and the London-based “International” TV channel.

The statement also reported the arrest of “two foreign nationals,” but offered no details about their countries of origin.

Beyond directing street violence, these cells specialized in “the manufacture and distribution of hand grenades and Molotov cocktails.”

One “high-profile terrorist”—a criminal with a record of kidnapping and assault—was tracked from Hamedan to Tehran Province and apprehended in a joint operation. He is accused of the premeditated murder of a security officer.

The Hamedan sweep neutralized three specialized teams of four “scene managers” each, who were caught directing the systematic destruction of public property and civilian vehicles.

Simultaneously, security forces dismantled two logistics cells responsible for the mass production of incendiary weapons.

During these raids, authorities seized a substantial cache of ready-to-use devices along with the specialized equipment used for their manufacture.

Other breakthroughs across the country mirror the operation in Hamedan.

In the capital, police announced the arrest of the killers of 21-year-old martyr Armin Abbasi.

The young officer was martyred on January 9 after being struck by a heavy metal vent cover thrown from a 20-story residential tower in Tehran’s Sa’adat Abad district.

The perpetrators, identified as Mohammadreza (30) and Amir-Mohammad (24), were apprehended following intensive surveillance and public cooperation.

According to a press release by the police, both suspects confessed to the act, admitting they were under the influence of alcohol and acting on a deliberate suggestion to target passing officers.

The recent unrest began in late December 2025, initially sparked by currency volatility and economic pressures exacerbated by Western sanctions. While authorities acknowledged the protesters’ grievances, they say the protests were quickly infiltrated by mercenaries trained by foreign intelligence agencies.

Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs released a sobering report this week, announcing that 3,117 people lost their lives during the turmoil.

The report clarified that 2,427 of those killed were “innocent civilians and security personnel,” many of whom were shot by organized terrorist elements in “kill-and-blame” missions designed to incite further violence and provoke foreign intervention.