Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — For the first time, Iran has reported a plot by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant to attack the Shi’ite power as sources reported Iran was collaborating with the U.S. in the new war against ISIL.

Officials said ISIL-aligned fighters planned to attack a so-called holy city. They said more than 130 suspected ISIL members were arrested.

“Significant quantities of explosives that were to be used in a holy city in the country were neutralized,” Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi said.

In an address to parliament on Oct. 7, Alavi provided few details of the purported ISIL plot. Despite numerous threats, ISIL, which operates in neighboring Iraq, never claimed responsibility for a major attack on Iran.

Alavi said the ISIL plot was to have included suicide attacks. The minister, who used the word “Takfiris,” said two explosive belts were recovered in July 2014 and marked plans to bomb facilities in two Iranian provinces.

“The Intelligence Ministry is in control in its confrontation against all internal and international threats,” Alavi said.

Iran was said to have coordinated with the United States in the war against ISIL in Iraq and Syria. Kurdish sources said the Iranian Army and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps deployed thousands of troops along the Iranian border with Iraq.

“All of our activities would be conducted in coordination and cooperation with the governments of Iraq and Syria,” Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Reza Nik said.

At the same time, IRGC released details on an Al Qaida-aligned attack on its bases along the border with Pakistan. IRGC Army commander Brig. Gen. Mohammed Pakpour said 70 unspecified “terrorists” attacked an IRGC checkpoint in September 2014.

“They rammed a vehicle laden with 600 kilograms of explosives into the wall of the checkpoint building and a huge blast took place and the checkpoint’s walls collapsed,” Pakpour said. “But after about three and a half hours of clashes they couldn’t attain their goal.”

  Iran arrests 130 in suspected ISIL plot amid reports of collaboration with U.S., IRGC, Mahmoud Alavi, Takfiris