Gulf states launch a campaign against Iranian espionage

The Gulf states are publicizing their achievements in the fight against Iranian espionage: since Operation Roar of the Lion began, at least nine spy networks of the Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah have been dismantled, long prison sentences have been handed down, and in Kuwait a death sentence was imposed on three defendants.

The Gulf states have launched an open campaign against Iranian espionage, publicizing their successes in dismantling spy networks of the Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah. According to a report on the 'Bawabat' website, since the start of Operation Roar of the Lion, at least nine spy networks have been dismantled, and courts have handed down long prison sentences, including life imprisonment and revocation of citizenship. On October 26, a death sentence was imposed in Kuwait on three defendants convicted of espionage for Iran and Hezbollah. The publication is unusual by Gulf standards and reflects a long-standing fear of Iranian subversion. The roots of Iranian intelligence activity stretch back years, even beginning with the Shah's intelligence service. The arrests indicate that the agents helped provide targets that cannot be identified by satellite imagery, alongside intelligence cooperation with China and Russia against the United States.