Intelligence Min.: Iran Has Control Over ISIL Activities

Tehran, Oct 15, IRNA - Intelligence Minister Seyyed Mahmoud Alavi said that his ministry has control over Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) activities as well as the group's elements inside and outside the country. Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, he added that the Intelligence Ministry had predicted the rise of extremist groups in Iraq and Syria and had intelligence cooperation with these countries in fighting terrorists. If Iran had not helped Syria and Iraq, the situation in these two countries would be different today, Alavi noted. Referring to the foreign intelligence services' targets in Iran, he warned against enemies' divisive plots. Alavi revealed connections between British intelligence services and a number of Iranian opposition satellite channels seeking to sow division among Muslims. "According to the information we have, a series of satellite channels, which broadcast programs against the unity of the Islamic Ummah (Nation), are linked to Britain’s [intelligence] services," he said. Alavi added that the country’s Intelligence Ministry confronts radical and extremist Shia and Sunni movements inside the country, which seek to create religious division. Recently, one of the satellite channels [operating] against the unity of the Islamic Ummah, which was linked to Britain’s spy service, was detected by the Intelligence Ministry, he underlined. Alavi added that Mi6, Mossad and CIA are using cyber space for spying on Iran. There have been attempts by the foreign intelligence services to collect information about Iran's defensive and nuclear sites, he said. Alavi added that Iran trades information and cooperates with many foreign intelligence services. Elsewhere in his remarks, he announced that the Intelligence Ministry will do its best to facilitate investment in the country and guarantee the investors' financial security. Alavi said that his ministry will continue its efforts to fight corruption in various sectors including in the economy. The intelligence minister said his organization pays great attention to the role of people in the country’s security, noting that people can very well contribute to sustainable security by interacting with the intelligence bodies. “We believe the Intelligence Ministry is from the people and for the people,” he explained. He added that any factor that creates a rift between the people and the government could imperil national security./end