Iran says it thwarted 100 terrorist plots in 2 years

Iranian Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi says Wednesday’s twin attacks in Tehran were not the first terrorist incidents, adding that more than 100 terror plots had been foiled in the past two years.

“This was not the first terrorist plot. Terrorists have tried to carry out more than 100 terrorist plots over the past two years, all of which have been thwarted,” Alavi said on Thursday.

At least 17 people were killed and more than 50 injured in Tehran on Wednesday, when gunmen attacked Iran’s Parliament (Majlis) and the Mausoleum of the late Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini.

The Daesh Takfiri terrorist group claimed responsibility for the near-simultaneous assaults.

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• Iran terror attacks: Death toll rises to 17

“In recent days and months, we have witnessed heavy pressures from terrorists such that we have identified and arrested two- and three-member teams or even lone terrorists every week,” Alavi said.

The Iranian intelligence minister also noted that the recent terrorist attacks were under investigation, expressing hope that all their origins would be discovered.   

Separately on Thursday, the Iranian Intelligence Ministry released the names of the five terrorists who were killed after carrying out the deadly attacks in Tehran.

The men had left Iran after being recruited by Daesh and participated in the terror outfit’s atrocities in the Iraqi city of Mosul and the Syrian city of Raqqah, according to the statement.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Alavi touched on recent statements against Iran by Saudi officials, saying Tehran had "no doubt about Saudi Arabia’s support for terrorist movements in the world.”

“We see Saudi fingerprints in supporting terrorists in Syria and Iraq and the world believes that the Saudi … ideology is behind terrorist movements,” he added.

Hours before Tehran’s assaults, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said, “Iran must be punished for its interference in the region.”

Last month, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman said in a televised interview with Arabic-language Al-Manar TV, "We will work to have the battle in Iran rather than in Saudi Arabia."

This is while Takfirism, which is a trademark of terrorist groups such as Daesh, is largely influenced by Wahhabism, the radical ideology dominating Saudi Arabia and freely preached by Saudi clerics.

The terrorist attacks in Tehran drew a wave of condemnations around the world, but US President Donald Trump chose to make hostile statements against Iran. 

Alavi said the global arrogance, led by the US, is using issues such as human rights and the fight against terrorism as a tool while in practice, they do not respect people’s right to life.

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