HRANA – Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence has announced the arrest of 21 individuals in Kerman Province on charges of collaborating with Israel’s intelligence service. The ministry also reported that five other citizens were arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests and referred to the judicial authorities.

According to HRANA, citing Fars News Agency, at least 26 individuals have been arrested by security agents.

The Ministry of Intelligence stated that 21 individuals were identified and arrested during operations carried out by the ministry in Kerman Province.

According to the ministry’s claims, the detainees had collected information concerning sensitive and classified military and air defense facilities and transmitted it to Israel’s intelligence service.

The identities of those arrested, as well as the exact time and location of their arrests and their current legal status, have not been disclosed.

The Ministry of Intelligence also announced the arrest of five citizens in connection with the January 2026 protests, claiming that four firearms were seized from them. According to the ministry, the individuals were referred to the judicial authorities following their arrests.

The report does not provide further details regarding the identities of the detainees or where they are being held. No information is available concerning the status of their cases, their access to legal counsel, or the judicial proceedings against them.

While efforts to counter espionage are not, in themselves, considered human rights violations, such allegations are frequently met with skepticism given the Iranian government’s record of using espionage-related accusations as a tool to target political opponents, particularly when details of the allegations and the judicial process remain undisclosed.