Tehran: Iran's Ministry of Intelligence has announced that three operational cells belonging to a Takfiri terrorist group had been disbanded in the country's southeast, with nine terrorists arrested and three others killed during clashes with security forces.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, a statement issued by the ministry on Monday detailed that its forces in Sistan and Baluchestan Province identified and disrupted the three organized cells as they were entering Iran, before they could carry out any terrorist or sabotage operations.

The ministry said the suspects had received military, bomb-making, and assassination training abroad and were planning to create insecurity in the southern parts of the province. A significant quantity of weapons and military ammunition was seized from those arrested.

The statement also said intelligence forces discovered and confiscated a hidden cache containing light and medium-heavy weapons that had been smuggled into the country.

The ministry thanked citizens for providing information and urged them to report suspicious activities through its official channels.