Iran dismantled a spy network sponsored by two Arab states, likely to be Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The agents were tasked with assassinating scientists and politicians, in addition to carrying out acts of sabotage to disrupt the electoral process.

According to the Ministry of Intelligence, who lifted the veil on the case: "The head of this network was hired a few years ago by the spy services of the most reactionary Arab country, which in no way can be compared with an independent and powerful country like Iran, be it on a political, military, economic or cultural level. It is not surprising that this country, supported by the West and the Zionist regime, should be conducting actions against Iran."

For Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Chairman of National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian parliament, "Qatar played a destructive role in the region (...) Iran will not compromise with anyone on its national security. We did not compromise with Britain or the United States, let alone a country like Qatar… "

The Qatari ambassador was summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. In his absence, he was represented by the charge d’affaires who was requested to relay the Islamic Republic’s strong objection to his country’s authorities over the dismantled spy cell. According to our information, the charge d’affaires made an apology and attempted to negotiate the safety of the emirate.