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Iranian authorities arrested a man in the Yazd Province who claimed to be Jesus Christ, the city's chief prosecutor announced on Tuesday.
The prosecutor said the intelligence operations had identified and dismantled what officials described as "a network linked to a Christian sect."
According to Yazd's chief prosecutor, the suspect initially claimed to have been chosen by God before progressing to the claim of being Jesus Christ, Iran's Mehr News Agency and Fars News Agency reported.
He is accused of exploiting his followers by inculcating superstitions and unusual austerity practices.
Prosecutors said the network had established a home church and recruited a significant number of family members and acquaintances, both in person and through social media, into what they described as a "Zionist Christian" sect, allegedly following organizational ties with two foreign-based Christian missionary figures linked to Israel.
According to the prosecutor's office, as cited by Iranian media, some followers committed acts including tearing and burning copies of the Quran, insulting religious sanctities and holy sites, and praying for Israeli military victory.
Iranian police separately called on the public to learn about the teachings of Jesus Christ only through Islamic and Christian missionaries recognized by the state.
No further details on the suspect's identity or the number of individuals detained were immediately provided.
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