Iran cracks down on alleged monarchist and ethnic armed cells amid war pressures

Iran’s authorities said they captured an eight-member network they described as affiliated with “anti-revolutionary” and “pro-monarchy” factions, accusing the suspects of deploying Molotov cocktails during nationwide protests in January. The IRGC in the southern province of Fars made the claim, while the Intelligence Ministry announced the arrest of 111 alleged “monarchist cells” in 26 provinces. Parallel to these internal crackdowns, security forces reported breaking up a Jaish al-Adl cell in the southeast, killing one fighter and seizing weapons.

Kurdish groups operating from northern Iraq, including PJAK, PDKI and PAK, remain the largest non-state threat, with reports of 5,000-8,000 fighters preparing for possible cross-border action. Analysts caution that any increase in foreign support for Kurdish or Baloch militants could pose an existential security risk for Tehran as the war with Israel and the United States continues. US officials have repeatedly urged Iranians to rise against the regime, adding political pressure to the already volatile situation.