Iran has thwarted one of the biggest terrorist plots in Tehran recently, the intelligence ministry said on Monday.
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It said authorities made arrests, seized bombs and ammunition and that investigations continued “inside and outside of the country”. The term “takfiri” is a derogatory word used to describe Muslims who accuse one another of being non-believers.
The Islamic State is a Sunni group that Iran is helping to defeat in both Iraq and Syria.
“Wherever it may occur in Iran, any suspicious move will be swiftly detected; this is thanks to the presence of the people and capable and experienced organizations”, he said.
Mehr news agency meanwhile reported that the attacks had been planned by Wahhabi Takfiri groups.
Iran has warned of possible militant assaults targeting the country, which hasn’t seen large-scale attacks since the immediate aftermath of its 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The semi-official Iranian Fars news agency quoted Ali Shamkhani, Supreme National Council secretary, as saying that bombings were slated to take place during the holy month of Ramadan.
The intelligence ministry gave no further details about the suspects. Wahhabism is an ultraconservative school of Islam practiced in Saudi Arabia, which now has strained ties with Iran.
According to reports, relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia had been troubled since the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric in January this year.
Terrorists were arrested, bombs were detonated and equipment was seized, IRNA added.
Iran faces threats from several militant groups.
To the east also, terrorist gangs frequently venture into Iranian territory from inside Afghanistan or Pakistan.
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The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan said Kurds killed more than 12 Guard members, including a colonel.
