Iranian officials announced on Tuesday that the country’s security services had uncovered an armed Mossad cell planning to foment violent insurrection across the Islamic Republic.

According to the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, the detained agents were apprehended on the western border of the country.

The semi-official Mehr news agency reported that during their arrest, “a big haul of weapons and ammunition, including, pistols, grenades, Winchester rifles, shotguns and ammunition was also seized.”

The alleged Mossad agents had been planning “to use the equipment during urban riots and assassinations,” the site stated, citing a counterintelligence official.

“The Zionist regime repeatedly attempted to carry out acts of sabotage in different parts of the country” that were “thwarted” by the “timely action of the forces of Iran’s Intelligence Ministry,” it added.

There was no immediate comment from Israeli officials.

Iran often accuses its enemies or rivals abroad, such as Israel, the United States and Saudi Arabia, of trying to destabilize the country by stoking protests and violence.

Tuesday’s announcement came after nearly two weeks of protests over water shortages, mostly in southwest Iran, which have turned political and spread to other areas.

Authorities have accused armed dissidents of provoking clashes during the street protests. Human rights groups say security forces have opened fire on protesters.

Source: HAARETZ