Qatar Announces Arrests of Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Cells

Qatar Authorities Arrest Suspects Belonging to Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps

The Qatar News Agency (QNA) announced on Tuesday that authorities in Qatar have arrested ten suspects belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The suspects were found to be operating two cells, with seven assigned to spy on vital and military facilities in Qatar and three tasked with carrying out sabotage operations.

According to QNA, the suspects admitted to their affiliation with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard during interrogation and acknowledged being tasked with espionage missions and sabotage activities. Authorities have also discovered locations and coordinates of sensitive facilities and installations, as well as communication devices and technological equipment in their possession.

The arrest comes amid ongoing tensions between Qatar and Iran, which has launched multiple attacks on Gulf Arab states, including Qatar. The Ministry of Defence reported detecting the launch of 101 ballistic missiles, 39 drones, and three cruise missiles towards its airspace since Saturday. While Qatar’s defensive measures have intercepted and destroyed most of the missiles, the country was caught off guard by the attacks.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson stated that “Qatar was surprised by these unjustified attacks” and that attempts to attack Hamad International Airport were thwarted. The spokesperson also noted that almost 8,000 people were stranded in Qatar due to airspace closures caused by the war.

Meanwhile, Oman’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has called for a ceasefire, stating that there are options for diplomacy to prevail and the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the US to de-escalate. US President Donald Trump has expressed solidarity with Gulf countries and blamed Iran for attacking them, saying they have nothing to do with the conflict.

Source: Al Jazeera