TEHRAN -- Iranian border forces have killed one terrorist and foiled an attempted infiltration by an armed terrorist group in the country’s southeastern border region, police said on Friday.
Border guards in Saravan county, Sistan-Baluchestan province, identified movements of an armed terrorist group attempting to illegally enter the country and carry out sabotage operations late Thursday, police spokesman General Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi said. 
“The guards blocked the entry path of the armed elements and, during the clash, killed one of the group’s members,” al-Mahdi said. 
He added that the remaining members fled back across the border after encountering the border guards’ response. During a clearance operation, authorities seized quantities of weapons and communication equipment.
The operation comes amid heightened tensions along Iran’s borders, with Iranian officials repeatedly pointing to U.S. and Israeli backing for terrorist groups operating near the country’s frontiers. Iran has previously documented American and Israeli efforts to use terrorist groups for attacks on Iranian territory.
In March, reports emerged that U.S. officials had encouraged Kurdish terrorist groups based in Iraq to carry out cross-border operations, with Israeli 
officials confirming support for Kurdish terrorists. 
U.S. President Donald Trump was reported to have discussed providing military support to Kurdish groups for operations against Iran.
Tehran has previously warned that such groups are receiving intelligence, funding and weapons from American and Israeli sources, including the Mossad.
Iranian security forces have intensified border operations in recent months. In April, security forces in the southeastern border region with Pakistan also thwarted a militant infiltration, killing multiple armed group members who had crossed into the country.