Iran claims it detained thousands of suspects during war with Israel
General Saeed Montazeralmahdi, a police spokesperson, was quoted by state TV as stating that members of the public had reported the suspects to authorities.
He remarked: "The arrest of 21,000 suspects during the 12-day war indicated high awareness and participation of people in providing security."
While Gen Montazeralmahdi did not specify the charges, he noted that over 260 individuals were suspected of spying, with another 172 arrested for illegal filming.
He added that more than 1,000 checkpoints were established across the country during the conflict, which ran from 13 to 24 June.
This is the first time Iran 's police has given a total number of arrests during the war. In recent weeks, Iran occasionally reported about the arrests of suspects on spying charges.
Since the end of June, Iran has executed seven men convicted of spying for Israel, sparking fears from activists that the government could conduct a wave of executions.
Israel carried out waves of airstrikes on Iran, killing nearly 1,100 people, including many military commanders. Retaliatory Iranian strikes killed 28 people in Israel.
A ceasefire has been in force since shortly after the airstrikes targeted Iran's major nuclear facilities.
Following the 12-day air war by Israel and the US that led to the deaths of nearly 1,100 people, including military chiefs and commanders, Iran founded a new defense council.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council, the country's highest security body, made the decision to establish the Supreme National Defense Council, which will be headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian, the report said.
The council will handle defensive plans and improve the capabilities of Iran's armed forces. Members will include the speaker of Parliament, the head of the judiciary and the chiefs of military branches and related ministries.
Iran had a similar council during the 1980s war between Iran and Iraq that left nearly 1 million casualties on both sides.
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