Iran's Revolutionary Guards Detain Dual National Amid Protests

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have claimed they detained a dual national accused of plotting "unrest and sabotage," according to Tasnim news agency.

The incident unfolded amidst heightened security measures aimed at thwarting planned protests, marking the one-year anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death in morality police custody.

The individual in question, whose identity remains undisclosed, was allegedly found in possession of multiple smartphones and a significant amount of US dollars. The arrest was carried out by the intelligence division of the Revolutionary Guards in the city of Karaj, situated to the west of the capital, Tehran. The information was relayed by the news agency, citing its correspondent on the ground.

The recent detention occurs in the context of Iran's forthcoming release of five Iranian-American detainees, facilitated by a Qatar-mediated agreement with the United States. This agreement also encompasses the release of five Iranians held by the United States and the unfreezing of $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds held in South Korea.

In a separate development, a few days ago, the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic of Iran declared the arrest of several leaders associated with anti-Iranian gatherings outside the country. However, specific details and the identities of these detainees were not disclosed.

Over the past few years, Iran's Revolutionary Guards have detained numerous dual nationals and foreigners, primarily on charges related to espionage and security. Human rights organizations have accused Iran of using these arrests on security grounds as a diplomatic bargaining chip to secure concessions from other nations, potentially based on questionable allegations.