IRGC Says It Struck US, Israel-Linked Groups Allegedly Smuggling Arms Into Iran
IRGC Says It Struck US, Israel-Linked Groups Allegedly Smuggling Arms Into Iran Published By, Last Updated: May 18, 2026, 19:03 IST IRGC said the groups
IRGC Says It Struck US, Israel-Linked Groups Allegedly Smuggling Arms Into Iran Published By, Last Updated: May 18, 2026, 19:03 IST IRGC said the groups were operating from northern Iraq and were “acting on behalf of the US and the Zionist regime”. Iran's IRGC soldiers disembarking from a military helicopter during a drill. (AFP file photo) Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday said that its forces struck groups linked to the United States and Israel in the western province of Kurdistan, near the border with Iraq. In a statement carried by the ISNA news agency, the Guards said the groups were operating from northern Iraq and were “acting on behalf of the US and the Zionist regime" when they attempted to smuggle a large shipment of American weapons and ammunition into Iranian territory.
The IRGC said the operation targeted the city of Baneh in the Kurdistan region. The announcement came as Iran said diplomatic exchanges with Washington continue over efforts to end the ongoing war, despite differences over key demands. Peace Talks Continue Despite Tensions Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran had conveyed its concerns to the US side and that talks were “continuing through the Pakistani mediator," even as Tehran described American proposals as excessive. Baqaei defended Iran’s negotiating positions, including demands for the lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen assets abroad, calling them “firmly defended" in every round of talks. He also reiterated Iran’s call for war reparations, calling the conflict as “illegal and baseless." According to Iranian media reports, Washington has presented proposals requiring limits on Iran’s nuclear programme, including reducing enrichment activities and transferring stockpiles abroad, while offering limited concessions on frozen assets.
Iranian outlets said such conditions could stall negotiations. Meanwhile, Tehran has continued to push for broader regional changes, including an end to hostilities across multiple fronts and recognition of its control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. A new body has been announced to manage operations in the waterway. On its official X account, Iran’s Supreme Security Council shared a post for the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) saying it would provide “real‑time updates on the #Hormuz_Strait operations and latest developments." (With inputs from AFP) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Iran First Published: May 18, 2026, 18:54 IST News world IRGC Says It Struck US, Israel-Linked Groups Allegedly Smuggling Arms Into Iran Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.
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