Iran's Intelligence Ministry confirmed the arrests (AlAhed News)

The Iranian Intelligence Ministry has confirmed in a statement on Saturday the arrest of 49 MEK members in Iran. The arrestees acted upon the orders of the terrorists in Albania, and they were charged with triggering false news and street riots and organizing acts of terror and destruction, provoking rioters to destroy whatever comes in their way. The perpetrators were also provided with various equipment to confront the police and incendiary materials to set fires.

77 members in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region were also arrested, according to the Ministry, which also confirmed the arrest of five members of a takfiri-terrorist group carrying 36 kg of explosives, in an attempt to target public gatherings. 92 others, affiliated with the US-backed Pahlavi regime, were also arrested.

The Intelligence Ministry pointed to activities of foreign and social media as being involved in escalating the recent riots in Iran, adding that nine foreign nationals from Germany, Poland, Italy, France, Holland, and Sweden were identified and held in contempt during the riots or behind the scenes.

It is noteworthy that for years, Tirana has been hosting the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK), which Iran considers a terrorist group after Albania agreed in 2013 to take in members of the group at the request of Washington and the United Nations.

The MEK regularly hosts summits in Albania that have long attracted support from conservative US Republicans, including former Vice President Mike Pence who delivered a keynote address at an event in June.

Albania has expelled a string of Iranian diplomats from the Balkan country over the years, including Tehran's Ambassador to the country in December 2018.