Afghanistan, June 20 -- Iranian media reported that authorities have arrested 17 people in western Iran on accusations of working for what officials described as a US-Israeli-backed sabotage network.
The semi-official Fars News Agency reported on Saturday that Iran's Ministry of Intelligence detained the suspects in Ilam province. According to the report, three of those arrested were identified as alleged leaders of the network, while the remaining 14 were described as members.
Iranian authorities claimed the group was involved in organizing street unrest and sabotage activities and alleged that some of the detainees played a role in protests that took place during the winter of last year.
The arrests come amid heightened security measur...