Iran Arrests 21,000 Suspects During The 12-day War With Israel

JAKARTA - Iranian police arrested as many as 21,000 suspects during the country's 12-day war with Israel in June.

Following Israeli airstrikes that began on June 13, Iranian security forces began widespread arrest operations accompanied by increased presence on roads based around checkpoints and public reports in which residents were asked to report any individuals they deem to be acting suspiciously.

"There was an increase in phone calls from the public by 41%, which resulted in the arrest of 21,000 suspects during the 12-day war," police spokesman Saeid Montazerolmahdi said.

Montazeromahdi did not explain what allegations were accused of those arrested, but Tehran had previously spoken of people spreading information that might have helped direct Israeli attacks.

The Israeli-Iran conflict also led to the acceleration of the deportation of Afghan migrants believed to be in Iran illegally. Aid agencies reported local authorities also accused some Afghan citizens of being spies to Israel.

"Law enforcement arrested 2,774 illegal migrants and found 30 special security cases by examining their phones. 261 espionage suspects and 172 people accused of recording without permission were also arrested," the spokesman continued.

Montazeromahdi did not specify how many of those arrested had been released.

The Iranian police handled more than 5,700 cybercrime cases such as online fraud and unlicensed withdrawing funds during the war, which they said had turned the cyber world into an important battleground.