3 IRGC Forces Killed in IS Fighting

Three members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps were killed during two days of clashes with militants of the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group in western Iran, which began on Saturday. Sixteen terrorists were arrested and five IS fighters were killed, Commander of the IRGC Ground Force Lieutenant General Mohammad Pakpour was quoted as saying by Sepah News on Sunday. "Out of the five terrorists killed, three of them blew up their suicide vests after they were cornered," he said, adding that the operation lasted over 30 hours. It had been reported earlier that the 21-member team had infiltrated from the country's western border and had been placed under surveillance. Last June, the IS terrorist group carried out attacks at the Iranian parliament in Tehran and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, south of the capital, which killed at least 18 people and wounded dozens.