Iran says it repelled separatist militants near western border

Iran says it repelled separatist militants near western border Iran’s intelligence ministry says security forces have struck positions linked to “separatist groups” attempting to enter the country through its western frontier. In a statement carried by Iranian state media on Thursday, the ministry said the groups suffered heavy losses during the operation. Officials also said that Iranian Kurdish armed factions had recently held discussions with the United States about potential attacks on Iranian security forces in the country’s western regions.