Assassination squads, the activation of terrorist networks and even attempts to infiltrate by sea in order to kill leaders: Following Operation Roaring Lion, the Iranian regime did not settle for firing hundreds of missiles and drones at Gulf states and Israel. It appears that, all at once, a series of sleeper cells and contingency plans were activated, designed to undermine the security situation and exact a price.
The method? recruiting Shiite Muslims who identify with the revolutionary ideology of the Islamic Republic and cooperating with Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian organizations. The response by local security services was not long in coming, and dozens of suspects have been arrested so far.
Thwarting an attempted sea infiltration
This week, the authorities of Kuwait announced that they had thwarted a terrorist infiltration attempt by sea. A force belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps landed on May 3 on the shores of Bubiyan Island, which belongs to Kuwait. After an exchange of fire, one security officer was injured and two infiltrators fled.
In other incidents, terrorist cells identified with the Iranian axis were arrested after planning assassinations of the country's leaders and terrorist attacks. As a result, Kuwaiti Justice Minister Nasser al-Sumait recently announced the establishment of dedicated courts to handle terrorism crimes.
According to him, there has been a sharp rise in the number of terrorism and state security cases in recent months, which now stands at 209.
Dismantling terrorist networks
The United Arab Emirates announced this week that 21 people and entities would be added to its "terror list" due to their ties to Hezbollah in Lebanon. According to official publications in the United Arab Emirates, the move is part of efforts to disrupt and dismantle networks connected to terrorist financing and related activities.
Last month, the authorities announced the dismantling of an entire network of terror supporters made up of 27 suspects. The group was accused of attempting to transfer funds to hostile elements and trying to spread the revolutionary ideology of the Islamic Republic.
According to reports, the United Arab Emirates took an even more unusual security measure and decided to deport thousands of Pakistanis back to their homeland. These were foreign workers who are Shiite Muslims and had worked in the country for a long period.
Revolutionary Guards cells
It appears that Bahrain, an island nation in the Persian Gulf, is more vulnerable than any of its neighbors. Its population is mostly Shiite Muslim, enabling the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to blend into the environment with relative ease.
In the past 24 hours alone, the local court sentenced two men and a woman to life in prison for coordinating with the Revolutionary Guards to carry out hostile acts against Bahrain.
The investigation began after the discovery of a social media account that posted photographs and coordinates of sensitive and vital sites. Earlier this month, the local Interior Ministry reported the arrest of 41 suspects. They were linked to previous investigations into espionage and expressions of support for the Iranian attacks against Bahrain.
Meanwhile, Qatar has become one of the mediators between the US and the Iranian regime, alongside Pakistan, which is hosting the talks. Nevertheless, it can be assessed that local security services are working around the clock. The Qataris, of course, joined the condemnations of the Revolutionary Guards' attempted infiltration of Kuwait by sea. There appears to be concern over a similar scenario, despite Qatar's involvement in the mediation process.
As early as the start of the war in March, authorities in Doha announced the arrest of 10 suspects with ties to two operational cells of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Seven of them were suspected of spying on military and vital facilities, while three others were suspected of attempted sabotage.
Round-the-clock prevention efforts
In Saudi Arabia, a large Shiite minority lives in the north of the Sunni kingdom, precisely where the main oil fields are located. Another challenge concerns the masses of pilgrims traveling to Mecca and Medina. These factors help the Revolutionary Guards operate inside the country.
Unlike its neighbors, no arrests of cells have yet been reported. However, last month a citizen was executed after being convicted of setting up a terrorist cell that planned to carry out attacks against security forces. In another case, a man was arrested on charges of publishing false information online. It can therefore be assessed that in Riyadh, too, the security services are working around the clock to thwart cells identified with the Iranian axis.
