Iran Arrests 21,000 Over US-Israel Spy Claims

Tehran In a sweeping crackdown that has sent shockwaves through the international community, Iran has announced the arrest of nearly 21,000 people on charges of espionage for the United States and Israel. The extraordinary figure, revealed by Iranian officials, comes just days after a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian positions in the region, escalating already tense hostilities.

According to Iranian state media, police and intelligence agencies carried out coordinated raids across multiple provinces, rounding up thousands suspected of working with foreign intelligence networks. Authorities claim that those arrested were engaged in gathering sensitive information, supporting sabotage operations, or attempting to destabilize the country on behalf of Washington and Tel Aviv.

The announcement has raised serious questions about both the scale of the arrests and the conditions under which detainees are being held. While Iranian officials insist that the arrests are based on concrete evidence, human rights groups have voiced alarm, warning that such mass detentions may include innocent civilians caught in the sweep. Families of those detained have reportedly gathered outside police stations and prisons, demanding clarity on the charges.

The arrests come amid heightened military and political tensions. In recent weeks, Israel has intensified its strikes on Iranian-linked targets in Syria and elsewhere, while the U.S. has increased its naval presence in the Persian Gulf. Tehran has accused both countries of conducting covert operations inside Iran, a claim Washington and Tel Aviv have not directly confirmed but have often hinted at through intelligence leaks.

For Iran’s leadership, the mass arrests appear to be both a message of strength to its domestic audience and a warning to its adversaries. Senior Iranian officials have declared that espionage networks have been “dismantled” and that the country will not tolerate infiltration by foreign agents. State television has broadcast images of large groups of detainees being escorted by security forces, a move seen by analysts as an attempt to showcase control and discourage further dissent.

International reactions, however, have been cautious. The U.S. State Department has dismissed Iran’s claims as “baseless” and accused Tehran of using espionage charges to justify suppressing political opposition. Israel has not officially commented but has long maintained that Iran’s security establishment is vulnerable to infiltration. Meanwhile, global watchdogs such as Amnesty International have urged transparency, demanding that Iran provide evidence of espionage rather than relying on mass accusations.

Inside Iran, the arrests have fueled anxiety. Ordinary citizens fear being swept into investigations without due process, particularly given the sheer number of detainees. At the same time, some supporters of the government argue that the measures are necessary in light of the country’s security challenges, pointing to recent assassinations of Iranian officials and scientists attributed to Israeli intelligence.

As the situation develops, it remains unclear how many of those arrested will face formal trials, and how many may eventually be released. What is certain is that the episode has further deepened Iran’s isolation, intensifying the climate of mistrust both within the country and on the world stage.