Saudi Security Arrests Iran-linked ‘Terrorist Cell’
Saudi Arabian security authorities are holding 10 people they say have links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and were planning to carry out attacks in the kingdom. The Presidency of State Security said in a statement issued on Monday that three members of the “terrorist cell” received training in the preparation and use of explosives from the IRGC inside Iran in late 2017. The arrests were made last week. Authorities say they also confiscated sniper rifles. None of those detained were identified. Riyadh has long accused Tehran of attempting to foment unrest in the kingdom, often through Shi’ites who reside in eastern Saudi Arabia. The Saudis also accuse the Iranians of being the ones behind two major rocket and drone attacks a year ago that temporarily put two major refineries out of commission, severely reducing the kingdom’s oil output, although Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen claimed responsibility. Iran still denies any involvement.