Seven FBI Terror Watchlist suspects with ties to Iranian terrorist networks were arrested in a major Los Angeles raid as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on national security threats embedded within the United States.
Key Takeaways
- DHS conducted a coordinated raid in Los Angeles, arresting nine individuals connected to an Iranian human trafficking network, including seven Iranian nationals on the FBI Terror Watchlist.
- The North Hills residence served as a hub for harboring illegal entrants with terrorist connections, functioning as part of a broader smuggling operation threatening national security.
- Federal agents have arrested 130 Iranians nationwide with criminal backgrounds, including individuals with connections to Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations.
- ICE arrested 11 Iranian nationals illegally in the U.S. over the weekend across nine cities, part of President Trump’s mandate to secure the homeland against potential sleeper cells.
- A U.S. citizen was arrested for threatening to kill ICE officers while harboring an illegal alien, highlighting domestic enablers of the smuggling network.
Terrorist Smuggling Network Dismantled in Los Angeles
Department of Homeland Security agents raided a North Hills home in Los Angeles this week, uncovering a sophisticated Iranian human trafficking network that had been operating as a conduit for individuals with terrorist connections. The operation resulted in nine arrests, including seven Iranian nationals who were on the FBI’s Terror Watchlist, representing a significant breakthrough in national security enforcement. The residence had been under surveillance as intelligence indicated it was repeatedly used as a hub for harboring illegal entrants with terrorist affiliations and connections to adversarial regimes.
“This location has been used repeatedly to harbor illegal entrants, including foreign nationals linked to terrorism and flagged on the FBI’s Terrorist Watchlist,” said Hilton Beckham, CBP Assistant Commissioner. “Intelligence indicates the smuggling network has trafficked individuals from adversarial regimes, including Iran — posing direct risks to U.S. national security.”
Nationwide Operation Targets Iranian Threats
The Los Angeles raid is part of a broader nationwide operation that has resulted in the arrest of 130 Iranian nationals with criminal backgrounds across the country. In coordinated raids across nine cities, ICE arrested 11 Iranian nationals and one American citizen just over the weekend. These arrests reflect heightened concerns about potential Iranian sleeper cells operating within American communities, particularly following recent military actions against Iran and escalating tensions with the regime. President Trump’s administration has significantly increased deportation efforts targeting individuals from adversarial nations.
“Under Secretary Noem, DHS has been full throttle on identifying and arresting known or suspected terrorists and violent extremists that illegally entered this country, came in through Biden’s fraudulent parole programs or otherwise,” said Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary. “We have been saying we are getting the worst of the worst out—and we are. We don’t wait until a military operation to execute; we proactively deliver on President Trump’s mandate to secure the homeland.”
High-Risk Individuals Detained Across Multiple States
Among those arrested were several high-risk individuals with concerning backgrounds. Ribvar Karimi, a former Iranian Army sniper, was apprehended in Alabama. In Houston, authorities arrested Behzad Sepehrian Bahary Nejad, who was found with a loaded pistol and has a history of domestic violence, as well as Hamid Reza Bayat, who has previous drug-related convictions. Mehran Makari Saheli, with direct connections to Hezbollah, was captured in Minnesota. An American citizen, Linet Vartannivartanians, was arrested for harboring an illegal alien and threatening to “shoot ICE officers in the head.”
National Security Implications
“The dismantling of this Iranian smuggling network represents a significant victory for homeland security as it cuts off a pipeline for potential terrorists entering the United States,” stated Hamid Reza Bayat. Customs and Border Protection is actively working to identify and eliminate similar smuggling operations that pose threats to national security. The strategic focus on Iranian nationals comes as intelligence agencies have reported increased activities from Iranian-backed groups following international tensions. These arrests demonstrate the Trump administration’s commitment to proactive security measures rather than reactive responses to potential threats.
“The Department of Homeland Security raided a home in Los Angeles this week as part of a sweeping investigation into an Iranian human trafficking ring. The location has been repeatedly used to harbor illegal entrants linked to terrorism,” confirmed Customs and Border Protection in an official statement regarding the operation.
The successful operation highlights the serious national security vulnerabilities created during the previous administration and the current efforts to address these threats before they can materialize into attacks on American soil. With additional investigations ongoing, more arrests are expected as authorities continue to dismantle networks facilitating the illegal entry of individuals from adversarial nations.
