Iran arrested up to 21,000 during June conflict with Israel, says police

Tehran: Iranian authorities have detained as many as 21,000 individuals during the country’s 12-day conflict with Israel in June, according to a police spokesperson cited by state media on Tuesday.

The mass arrests followed Israeli airstrikes that began on June 13. In response, Iranian security forces intensified their presence in public spaces, setting up checkpoints and urging citizens to report suspicious behavior.

“There was a 41% increase in public reports, which led to the arrest of 21,000 suspects during the 12-day war,” said police spokesperson Saeid Montazerolmahdi. He did not clarify the nature of the suspicions or charges against those detained.

Iranian officials have previously suggested that some individuals may have provided information aiding the Israeli attacks.

The conflict also triggered a sharp increase in deportations of Afghan migrants, according to aid agencies. Authorities reportedly accused several Afghan nationals of espionage on behalf of Israel.

“Law enforcement rounded up 2,774 illegal migrants and discovered 30 special security cases by examining their phones. 261 suspects of espionage and 172 individuals accused of unauthorized filming were also arrested,” Montazerolmahdi added.

No details were provided regarding how many of those arrested remain in custody.

Montazerolmahdi also stated that police addressed over 5,700 cybercrime cases during the conflict, including online fraud and unauthorized financial activities, claiming that cyberspace had become “an important battlefront.”