In an unprecedented move, police in Peru have announced the arrest of a 56-year-old Iranian citizen who is purportedly a member of Iran's Quds Force. The individual, identified as Majid Azizi, was allegedly planning to assassinate an Israeli citizen in the South American country.

Gen. Óscar Arriola, Peru's police chief, disclosed the arrest during a press conference, revealing that Azizi was apprehended in Lima on Thursday. Two Peruvian citizens were also taken into custody in connection with the plot. While the identity of the intended target remains undisclosed for security reasons, authorities have successfully averted the attack against the Israeli.

According to General Arriola, Azizi arrived in Lima on March 3, and his presence in Peru came to the attention of the authorities through foreign intelligence agencies. Notably, Azizi's alleged affiliation with Iran's Quds Force has not been independently confirmed by the Associated Press. Iranian authorities have refrained from providing any comments on the matter, and state media in Iran has not acknowledged the arrest.

The Quds Force, which belongs to Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, has a history of conducting intelligence operations in South America. In the past, they have been linked to various incidents, including the impounding of a Boeing 747 in Argentina that was later seized by the United States. Furthermore, it is widely believed that Iran was responsible for the 1994 bombing of a Jewish center in Argentina, claiming the lives of 85 people.

It is worth noting that this is the first time Peruvian authorities have announced the arrest of an alleged member of the Quds Force. The police chief stated that Azizi was taken into custody while withdrawing money from an ATM and, along with the two Peruvian individuals apprehended, will remain in prison under terrorism charges for an initial period of 15 days. Notably, Azizi had intended to return to Iran on the same day he was captured. Additionally, it was revealed that Azizi is married to a Peruvian woman.

The arrest of Azizi highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding Iranian intelligence activity in South America. It serves as a reminder of the close ties maintained by Iran with Venezuela and the significant role played by the Quds Force in the region. Peruvian authorities continue their investigation and are actively searching for a third Peruvian individual believed to be involved in the plot against the Israeli citizen.

The case underscores the need for increased vigilance and cooperation among nations to combat international terrorism and espionage, ensuring the safety and security of individuals worldwide.