QOM, Iran - Authorities in Iran’s Qom province have arrested 22 individuals accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence, according to Iranian state-affiliated media.

The detentions, which began on June 13, were confirmed on Saturday by Fars News Agency, quoting senior police officials. Those arrested are being charged with connections to what Iranian officials described as the “Zionist regime’s spy services,” in addition to charges of spreading public unrest and backing what the regime calls a “criminal state.”

These latest arrests come just days after 24 others were reportedly detained on similar accusations of espionage and alleged efforts to damage Iran’s international image. Tasnim News Agency, another outlet close to Iran’s security establishment, published the announcement Thursday.

Adding to the rising tensions, Tasnim also revealed on Friday that a European national had been taken into custody on espionage allegations. The person’s nationality and the timeline of their arrest remain undisclosed.

Iran has a long history of announcing arrests tied to foreign intelligence agencies, particularly Israel’s Mossad. In recent weeks, several individuals accused of espionage have reportedly been executed.

Norway-based watchdog Iran Human Rights estimates that at least 223 people have been detained nationwide under charges linked to collaboration with Israel. The organization warns that the actual number of arrests could be significantly higher due to limited transparency.