Iran arrests 97 people it accuses of being 'soldiers of Israel' in massive crackdown

Fox News - WorldCenter-RightEN 2 min read 100% complete by Emma BusseyMarch 19, 2026 at 08:49 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

Iran has arrested 97 individuals accused of being "soldiers of Israel" as part of a broader security crackdown. These arrests are the latest in a series of detentions, with hundreds reportedly held for alleged ties to Israel and the United States since the start of the recent conflict. Earlier, 41 people were arrested for allegedly sending videos to opposition media abroad. On March 10, Iran's intelligence ministry reported arresting a foreign national and 30 others, labeling them spies and agents of Israel and the U.S. These actions follow the assassination of Iranian intelligence minister Esmaeil Khatib in a targeted Israeli strike in Tehran. Human rights organizations report nearly 200 people have been arrested on charges related to the U.S.-Israeli conflict, including social media activity and espionage.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Tehran 30% The Jerusalem Post 35% Operation Epic Fury 40% Alborz province 40% Operation Roaring Lion 40% Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) ×245% Israel Katz 50% Reuters ×260% United States ×265% Esmaeil Khatib ×275% Israel ×785% Iran ×890%

Keywords

iran 90% arrests 90% israel 80% spies 70% intelligence ministry 70% security sweep 60% espionage 50% opposition media 50% human rights 40% targeted strike 40%