Terror Watchlist Arrests ROCK Los Angeles

Magnifying glass showing Homeland Security website

Federal agents have uncovered a suspected Iranian terror network operating right in the heart of Los Angeles, arresting nine individuals including seven Iranian nationals on the FBI Terror Watchlist who may have been positioned as sleeper cells on American soil.

Key Takeaways

  • DHS conducted a raid in Los Angeles, arresting nine individuals connected to an Iranian human trafficking ring, including seven nationals on the FBI Terror Watchlist
  • The North Hills property was identified as a repeat hub for harboring illegal entrants linked to terrorism and posed direct risks to U.S. national security
  • ICE arrested a total of 11 Iranian nationals across the country, including individuals with connections to Hezbollah and those with violent criminal histories
  • A U.S. citizen was arrested for threatening to kill ICE officers while harboring an illegal alien
  • These arrests are part of President Trump’s mandate to secure the homeland by proactively removing threats before they can execute attacks

Iranian Terror Network Dismantled in Los Angeles

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents executed a decisive raid on a residence in North Hills, Los Angeles, targeting what officials describe as a significant Iranian human trafficking operation. The operation resulted in the arrest of nine individuals, with seven Iranian nationals identified on the FBI’s Terror Watchlist. This residence wasn’t just any smuggling hub – according to federal authorities, it served as a critical node in a network facilitating the illegal entry of individuals from adversarial regimes, particularly Iran, presenting substantial national security concerns for the United States.

“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 CBP Assistant Commissioner Hilton Beckham. Intelligence indicates the smuggling network has trafficked individuals from adversarial regimes, including Iran, posing direct risks to U.S. national security.

Nationwide Crackdown on Iranian Nationals with Criminal Histories

The Los Angeles operation was just one part of a broader, nationwide enforcement action. ICE officials arrested 11 Iranian nationals illegally present in the United States across multiple cities, along with one American citizen who threatened violence against federal officers. These arrests highlight the Trump administration’s intensified security measures and deportation efforts following recent military actions against Iran. Federal agents have reportedly detained at least 130 Iranians nationwide, many flagged as terror suspects or with concerning criminal backgrounds.

“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 DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. 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.

Dangerous Individuals With Terror and Criminal Ties

Among those arrested was Mehran Makari Saheli, who authorities confirm has connections to Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terrorist organization. In Alabama, agents apprehended Ribvar Karimi, a former Iranian Army sniper. Houston arrests included Behzad Sepehrian Bahary Nejad, found with a loaded pistol and a history of domestic violence, and Hamid Reza Bayat, who has a record of drug crimes. In Minnesota, authorities detained an individual with direct Hezbollah connections, while other arrests spanned from Arizona to San Francisco.

The arrests also included Linet Vartannivartanians, a U.S. citizen who threatened to “shoot ICE officers in the head” while harboring an illegal alien. This threat against law enforcement officers underscores the increasingly hostile environment federal immigration agents face while attempting to enforce our nation’s laws and protect communities from potential threats embedded within our borders.

Securing America Against Foreign Threats

This coordinated enforcement action represents a significant shift in homeland security priorities under President Trump’s administration. The focus on identifying and removing individuals with ties to adversarial nations, especially those on terror watchlists, demonstrates a proactive approach to national security threats. Customs and Border Protection is actively working to dismantle smuggling networks that pose security risks to American communities, with particular attention to operations that may be facilitating the entry of individuals with terrorist connections or violent criminal histories.

“The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) raided a home in Los Angeles this week as part of a sweeping investigation into an Iranian human trafficking ring,” reported Customs and Border Protection. The location has been repeatedly used to harbor illegal entrants linked to terrorism.