• Iran's Revolutionary Guards arrested eight suspects allegedly tied to Mossad.
• The arrests occurred during a 12-day conflict involving Israel and the US.
• Materials for weapon-making were seized in the operation.
• Iran's security forces reportedly detained 21,000 individuals during the conflict.
• Human rights groups criticize Iran's use of espionage charges for political repression.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have reported the arrest of eight individuals suspected of attempting to relay sensitive military information to Israel's Mossad. The arrests occurred in northeastern Iran during a 12-day war that featured significant hostilities between Iran and Israel, including US involvement. The arrested individuals allegedly provided vital coordinates related to military sites and personnel during Israeli air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, described as the most severe blow to Iran since the 1980s Iran-Iraq War according to SCMP, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.

The Iranian authorities have accused the suspects of receiving specialized training from Mossad via online methods. They were thwarted before executing their alleged plans, and authorities seized materials intended for making weapons, including launchers and explosives. This crackdown is part of a broader effort wherein Iranian security forces arrested up to 21,000 individuals deemed suspicious during the conflict, indicating a policy of extensive surveillance and control, as detailed by SCMP, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.

These developments come after various incidents wherein Iran has executed at least eight individuals following similar espionage charges, exemplified by the execution of nuclear scientist Rouzbeh Vadi in early August for allegedly passing intelligence to Israel. Human rights organizations contend that such accusations are often used by the Iranian government to suppress dissent and maintain control, as highlighted by SCMP, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.