In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry said intelligence personnel in Sistan and Baluchestan identified four organized terrorist cells linked to terrorist-Takfiri groups affiliated with the American-Zionist enemy's intelligence services as they attempted to enter the country.

The ministry said the cells were dismantled before they could conduct any hostile operations.

According to the statement, intelligence forces carried out a series of operations in the cities of Zahedan, Chabahar, Iranshahr, Khash, Taftan, Nikshahr, and Qasr-e Qand, arresting 15 key members of the infiltrating operational teams.

Several AK-47 assault rifles and corresponding ammunition were also seized during the operations.

The ministry said the "American-Zionist mercenaries" had planned to implement the enemy's scheme to destabilize the province and target economic, service, judicial and other infrastructure.

It added that four other terrorist teams had already been intercepted in the first half of the Iranian month of Tir (late June to early July), resulting in the killing of two terrorists and the arrest of 10 others.

The Intelligence Ministry said investigations are continuing into the broader dimensions of the terrorist networks, including their possible domestic connections, in light of the enemy's ongoing efforts to create insecurity in the province.