Iran’s intelligence ministry announced the arrest of an individual described as “the ringleader of a U.S.-based Tondar (Thunder) terrorist group”. In remarks the following day, the intelligence minister claimed the individual “was strongly supported by American and Israeli intelligence services… He and his associate planned some 27 acts of terror all of which were thwarted”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson asserted that “the U.S. should be [held] responsible for supporting this terrorist group and criminals from inside the U.S. who lead sabotage, armed and terrorist operations”, while Foreign Minister Javad Zarif argued that “the west must cease financing and harbouring terrorists”.