Officials said the detainees were accused of providing Israel with details about military, police, and other security locations.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Iranian authorities said over the weekend they detained dozens of people accused of spying for Israel and transmitting sensitive information about military and infrastructure targets, according to reports from state-linked media.

The arrests were reported across several provinces and involved multiple alleged networks.

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence said security forces detained several “enemy operatives” nationwide.

Tasnim, a semi-official news agency, reported that investigators uncovered two networks, including a 10-member group in Mazandaran province and another 10-member network in Khorasan Razavi province.

Authorities alleged that those detained transferred information about military facilities and economic infrastructure and passed coordinates of public places, academic institutions, and research centers to Israel.

Separately, prosecutors in West Azerbaijan province arrested 20 suspects in the northwestern city of Urmia, according to Fars, a news agency affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Officials said the detainees were accused of providing Israel with details about military, police, and other security locations.

In southern Iran, intelligence officials in Khuzestan province reported the arrest of a three-person group described as a “terrorist team.”

The suspects were accused of carrying out armed attacks against security forces and government facilities.

The arrests come as reports suggest Israel has received assistance from inside Iran in identifying potential targets.

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Israel has relied on tips from ordinary Iranians to identify targets for strikes inside the country, citing a senior Israeli security official.

According to the report, information about possible targets is sent through Israeli Persian-language social media accounts and verified before strikes are carried out.

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Iranian defense council hints Tehran may launch preemptive strikes on US and Israel, condemning “intensifying rhetoric” as domestic unrest surges.

By World Israel News Staff

The Iranian government warned Tuesday the Islamic Republic could carry out preemptive strikes if the regime feels threatened, as internal unrest continues to spread across the country.

In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Iran’s newly formed Supreme National Defense Council hinted that the regime would not tolerate “hostile behavior” from foreign powers that challenge Iran’s “independence and territorial integrity.”

“Iran’s security, independence, and territorial integrity are red lines that must not be crossed. Any aggression or continued hostile behavior will be met with a decisive and resolute response.”

The council added that Iran’s military may carry out preemptive actions if it believes there are credible “threats” to the regime.

“Within the framework of legitimate self-defense, Iran does not view itself as limited to responding only after an act has occurred. It considers tangible indicators of threats to be part of the security equation.”

The statement, which followed comments by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in support of dissident protesters in Iran, warned that “threatening language” could be construed as “hostile behavior” toward Iran.

“An escalation in threatening language and interventionist conduct that goes beyond verbal posturing may be interpreted as hostile behavior.”

On Monday, Netanyahu warned that Iran would face “severe” consequences in the event of an attack on Israel, while expressing support for anti-regime protesters.

A day earlier, President Trump told reporters on Air Force One that his administration is closely monitoring developments in Iran, adding that the US would strike the regime if protesters are killed.

Over the past nine days, at least 29 people have been killed, with dozens injured and more than 1,200 arrested during demonstrations across 257 locations in 88 cities in 27 of Iran’s 31 provinces.

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Iran’s response was non-binding, with Tehran emphasizing that it rejected any framework implying coordination.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel and Iran have recently engaged in secret, indirect exchanges, according to a report published Tuesday by Israel’s N12, citing the regional outlet Amwaj.media, which is regarded as having reliable sources in Tehran.

According to the report, the messages were conveyed through Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to prevent further security escalation, amid growing reports of possible additional Israeli strikes.

The exchanges did not constitute a ceasefire or any broader agreement, and no guarantees, timelines, or enforcement mechanisms were established. Sources described the contacts as a limited effort to manage tensions at a specific moment.

A Middle Eastern source cited by Amwaj claimed the communications began after a reported request by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to relay a message to Iran, via a mediator, indicating that Israel was not seeking military escalation.

Iran’s response, delivered through the same channel, was described as non-binding, with Tehran emphasizing that it rejected any framework implying coordination or obligation.

An Iranian official confirmed that indirect communication had taken place but stressed that “there is no ceasefire agreement.” Instead, the official characterized the exchanges as a “mutual message to a shared intermediary about refraining from new attacks.”

The intermediary, according to assessments cited in the report, was Russian President Vladimir Putin. Each side, the official said, separately informed the mediator of its intention not to renew hostilities.

The report emerged as U.S. President Donald Trump said he would “absolutely” support Israeli strikes if Iran continued rebuilding its missile or nuclear capabilities, warning that any such buildup would be swiftly destroyed.

Iran’s Supreme Leader adviser Ali Shamkhani responded by cautioning that any attack would trigger an “immediate harsh response.”

Despite the reported backchannel exchanges, there appears to be little genuine cooperation or meaningful progress toward de-escalation, with contacts remaining limited and non-binding as public rhetoric from Washington, Jerusalem, and Tehran continues to intensify.

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