Tehran/International Desk:
In a decisive security operation, Iranian forces have killed six armed militants linked to Israel while capturing two others alive in the country’s volatile Sistan-Baluchistan province, located in the south-east of Iran. The deadly exchange of fire has once again underscored the escalating tensions in the region, where cross-border militant groups and foreign intelligence networks have been increasingly active.

According to Iranian media, the incident unfolded during a firefight between militants and security forces in a mountainous zone of the province, which has long been notorious for insurgent activity, smuggling, and foreign-backed terror operations. Security sources reported that the militants were heavily armed and resisted arrest, forcing the troops to engage them in combat that ultimately led to their deaths.

Foreign news outlets, citing Iranian officials, revealed that the slain militants were trained and supported by Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad. The discovery has fueled Iranian accusations that Tel Aviv is orchestrating destabilization campaigns across Iran through proxy militant groups.

Authorities confirmed that five of the six slain men were foreigners, but refrained from disclosing their nationalities. Only one of the militants was identified as an Iranian national. The arrest of two surviving suspects is expected to provide further intelligence on the network’s operations and its foreign connections.

This latest counterterrorism success came barely 24 hours after a brutal attack in the same region, in which five Iranian police officers were killed by armed assailants. Analysts suggest that the militants killed in the recent operation may have been linked to or even directly responsible for that earlier assault.

Iran has long accused Israel, the United States, and certain Gulf states of supporting separatist and terrorist groups operating in its border provinces, particularly Sistan-Baluchistan, which shares porous borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan. These areas have historically served as safe havens for drug cartels, insurgents, and extremist groups.

The Iranian government has vowed to intensify its crackdown on foreign-backed terrorism. Officials declared that any militant group collaborating with hostile intelligence agencies would face “swift and crushing retaliation.”

Regional observers note that this incident is likely to heighten already fraught relations between Iran and Israel, with Tehran framing the operation as yet another example of Israeli attempts to destabilize its sovereignty. Meanwhile, human rights organizations have often raised concerns over security crackdowns in Sistan-Baluchistan, warning of civilian casualties and repression; however, Iranian authorities maintain that their operations are strictly aimed at eliminating foreign-backed terror cells.

With two suspects now in custody, Iranian intelligence services are expected to interrogate them extensively in hopes of uncovering a broader Mossad-linked terror network inside Iran. The case is being closely monitored by regional security analysts, as it may have implications for the wider geopolitical struggle playing out between Iran and Israel.