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Iran Arrests 11 Suspected IS Militants Over Alleged Suicide Bombing Plots


A rebel fighter takes away a flag that belonged to Islamic State militants in Akhtarin village on October 7.
A rebel fighter takes away a flag that belonged to Islamic State militants in Akhtarin village on October 7.

Iranian media reports say Iranian security forces have arrested 11 people on suspicion of planning suicide bombings on behalf of the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

The October 14 reports said authorities also seized large quantities of explosives in the operation.

It is the latest in a series of alleged plots by the Sunni extremists that authorities say they've uncovered in Shi'ite Iran -- a major supporter of the campaign against IS militants in neighboring Iraq.

General Ahmad-Ali Goudarzi, who heads the security forces in the southern province of Fars, said the crackdown had "dismantled" the IS in southern Iran.

He said dozens of cars and motorbikes, as well as 100 kilograms of explosives, were seized.

The Mehr news agency quoted the province's deputy governor as saying those arrested were believed to be members of IS.

IS militants say Shi'ite Muslims are apostates.

The extremist group has carried out numerous attacks against Shi'ite civilians in both Iraq and Syria.

Based on reporting by AFP and Mehr

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