Ruhollah Zam who in recent years had become a tool in the hands of espionage services and anti-Iran bodies and had been publishing false news against the country in a Telegram channel known as ‘Amad News’, was arrested by the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps outside the country and was taken back to Iran, according to an IRGC statement on Monday.

The statement thanked God for “arresting one of the main figures behind the psychological war against the Islamic Republic in a complex operation.”

The statement noted that surprising and arresting this ‘evil and mercenary agent’ shows IRGC’s ‘upper hand’ against intelligence agencies of enemies.

The statement noted that IRGC’s Intelligence Organization has arrested Zam in “a professional, smart and multifaceted operation using modern intelligence methods and innovative techniques to handle and trick foreign [intelligence] services.”

It went on to say that the arrest came as Zam was “under the guidance of France intelligence service and supported by US and Zionist regime’s agencies, being covertly and overtly protected around the clock.”

“This great operation demonstrates the defeat of enemies’ intelligence services,” said the statement, noting that more information about the operation will be soon announced.

Also, the news of Zam’s arrest was immediately published in ‘Amad News’ channel, signaling that it is now under the control of IRGC.

“Some 50 weapons have been seized in the operations to detain the terrorists,” Alavi said.

Hailing all the Iranian affiliated organizations to ensure security of Arbaeen march, he hoped that the security will be sustainable by the end of Arbaeen ceremonies.

Earlier on Monday and during his visit to Shalamcheh border, in Khuzestan Province, the Iranian minister said that the process of serving Arbaeen pilgrims is good and valuable, adding that the necessary measures are foreseen for the return of the pilgrims.

He expressed satisfaction over the performance of Shalamcheh crossing and mentioned that serving the Arbaeen pilgrims across the border of Iran-Iraq continues.

The highest number of pilgrims has crossed Shalmacheh. Some 850,000 Iranian and foreign pilgrims entered Iraq via the Shalmacheh border crossing during the past two weeks.

Arbaeen, which is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, comes 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH).

Each year, millions of people flock to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hossein is located, to perform mourning rites. This year, Arbaeen falls on Saturday, October 19.