Dozens of major news outlets reported Monday that Iran the No. 1 sponsor of terrorism in the World claimed to have stopped a massive terrorist plot against its capital of Tehran and other cities, but some experts are skeptical.
The reports were based entirely on reporting from Iran’s own state media, which more often than not acts as the government’s propaganda outlet. State media sources quoted the Iranian intelligence ministry which claimed that “takfiri” terrorist groups were plotting bombings across the country. Iran often refers to Sunni Islamic State members as “takfiris”.
Some experts on Iranian politics and security are not buying the claim.
“Iranian intelligence services have a long history of using fake terrorist plots. In some cases they have actually planted bombs themselves to blame other groups,” A fellow with the Foundation for the Defense who specializes on Iran, told The Daily Caller News Foundation.
Based on the information available, he believes Monday’s report may be nothing more than a fabrication, though Iranian media has come up with quite the story to sell it.
“The terrorists have been apprehended and a number of ready-to-explode bombs and a large amount of explosive materials has been discovered and seized from them,” said intelligence officials, according to Iran’s Fars News.
Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), said security forces have arrested several suspects in connection with the alleged plot. He noted that the attacks were “planned” for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Dr. Michael Rubin of the American Enterprise Institute isn’t buying what Iran is selling.
“Not only is [Iran] very subjective about the concept of terrorism, but it also cries wolf constantly,” said Rubin. Rubin thinks that it is more likely that Iranian officials are using the alleged plot as an excuse to crack down on the country’s Sunni minority.

Source: The Daily Caller, 20 June 2016