According to Hossein Taeb, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization, a plot to assassinate the head of Iran’s Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani has been foiled.

Taeb, who as head of the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization personally oversees the suppression of protests and arrests of journalists and activists, said that after failing in “seditions and conspiracies and polarizing the country,” the enemies of the Islamic Republic hatched a plot to assassinate Soleimani in the southeastern province of Kerman. Taeb said the plot was years in the making and originated as a “Hebrew-Arab” plot, meaning Israel and Arab countries aligned with Israel — likely in the Persian Gulf.

According to Taeb, the team of three hired to carry out the assassination was tasked with placing 350-500 kilos (771-1,102 pounds) of explosives in a religious center that Soleimani often frequented during religious holidays in his hometown of Kerman. The objective of the attack, according to Taeb, was to make it appear as if it was a domestic operation and ignite a sectarian backlash within the country.

As head of the Quds Force, Soleimani is tasked with IRGC operations outside of Iran’s borders. Iraq, one country in which Soleimani has spent years cultivating influence, has experienced anti-corruption protests in recent days. In response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning, asking Iranian pilgrims to Iraq to delay their trips until calm is restored in the country. Millions of Iranians travel to Iraq for the religious holiday of Arbaeen during this time.