ISTANBUL

Iran's Khuzestan Prosecutor's Office announced Friday the arrest of 54 people accused of espionage and subversive activities allegedly linked to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.

The individuals “were involved in supporting, gathering information for the enemy, propagandizing against the regime, as well as spreading falsehoods and rumors with the aim of damaging the country’s internal security and disrupting the psychological security of society,” the Iranian Fars News Agency reported, citing the prosecutor's office.

Hostilities broke out June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on several sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.

Israeli authorities said at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured since then in Iranian missile attacks.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Meanwhile, in Iran, 639 people have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded in the Israeli assault, according to Iranian media reports.