Iranian authorities said they have seized U.S.-made weapons and explosive devices from several homes, alleging the cache was linked to “cell members” attempting to incite violence during ongoing nationwide protests.
The Intelligence Ministry claimed the seizures, made across multiple provinces, included firearms, ammunition and improvised explosive devices. Officials alleged some suspects were in contact with foreign actors and cited recordings of instructions allegedly issued from abroad.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States and Israel of deploying “foreign agents” to destabilise Iran. He also spoke with Pakistan’s foreign minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, as Islamabad urged dialogue and denied claims it could be used as a base for a U.S. strike.
The protests began in late December, though independent verification of the claims is not available
Iran Official Puts Protest Death Toll at Nearly 2,000
Iranian authorities have, for the first time, put the death toll from the ongoing protests at around 2,000, including members of the security forces, following a sweeping crackdown on two weeks of nationwide unrest. An Iranian official told Reuters that those killed included both protesters and security personnel, blaming what he described as “terrorist elements” for the violence, though no detailed breakdown was provided.
The protests, triggered by worsening economic conditions, mark the most serious domestic challenge to the clerical establishment in at least three years and come amid heightened regional and international tensions after U.S. and Israeli strikes last year.
While officials have described economic grievances as legitimate, security forces have responded with mass arrests, internet shutdowns and heavy deployment on the streets. Authorities have accused the United States and Israel of stoking the unrest, a claim disputed by rights groups, which say hundreds have been killed and thousands detained.
Information has been difficult to independently verify due to communications blackouts. However, verified videos reviewed by Reuters show violent nighttime clashes, including gunfire and widespread damage to property.
