Qatar Detains Ten Individuals Suspected of Being Iranian Spies

Qatar has reported the arrest of ten individuals connected to two organized groups accused of collaborating with Iran.

According to officials, these groups, termed 'cells' by the Qatari authorities, were allegedly functioning within the country on behalf of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Reports from Al Jazeera indicate that seven of the detained suspects were assigned the tasks of intelligence gathering and surveillance of critical military and essential facilities in Qatar.

The remaining three suspects were reportedly engaged in planning sabotage operations, which included training in the use of drones and acquiring coordinates for sensitive locations.

Qatari authorities stated that the suspects eventually confessed to their ties with the IRGC and acknowledged their involvement in espionage and sabotage missions.

"During interrogation, the suspects confessed their connections to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and acknowledged that they had been instructed to undertake espionage and sabotage tasks," the Qatar News Agency reported.

The backdrop of these arrests is marked by ongoing US-Israeli military operations against Iran, which have prompted retaliatory strikes on US interests throughout the Gulf region.

As reported by PREMIUM TIMES, retaliatory strikes from Iran have hit Gulf nations hosting US military bases, impacting various locations including ports, hotels, and residential buildings in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and Oman, which has played a mediating role in US-Iran relations.

Earlier, Qatar confirmed the interception of two Iranian fighter jets, showcasing their readiness in managing airspace violations.

QatarEnergy, a leading global exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), also halted production at two of its facilities following drone attacks.

On a related note, the US embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was set ablaze by what were reported as two Iranian drone strikes, leading to the embassy's temporary closure.