Iranian security forces deploy following an armed attack at the Shah Cheragh mausoleum in the city of Shiraz on Oct 26, 2022. (ISNA NEWS AGENCY / AFP)
TEHRAN – Iran's Intelligence Ministry said Monday that it has arrested 26 foreign nationals linked to the recent deadly attack on a shrine in southern Iran.
"The detainees are nationals of Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan," said a statement from the ministry.
Some of the foreign nationals were preparing and providing necessary arrangements for other "terrorist operations," including in Zahedan in southeastern Iran, the Intellligence Ministry said
It noted that an Azerbaijani national acted as the attack's main coordinator, who contacted the Islamic State (IS) elements in Afghanistan after entering Iran by flight from the Azerbaijani capital city of Baku.
According to the statement, the shooter in the attack is a Tajik citizen, while an Afghan national provided logistics for the attack in Shiraz.
Some of the foreign nationals were preparing and providing necessary arrangements for other "terrorist operations," including in Zahedan in southeastern Iran, it added.
ALSO READ: Iran: Israel-linked network planning sabotage detained
The IS has claimed responsibility for the Oct 26 attack that killed at least 13 people, including one woman and two children, and injured scores.