Iran detained 20 individuals on allegations of spying for the Mossad intelligence agency in recent months, the judiciary said on Saturday, adding that they will receive “no leniency,” Reuters reported.

Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangiri subsequently told reporters in Tehran that charges against some of the 20 suspects had been dropped and they were released.

“The judiciary will show no leniency toward spies and agents of the Zionist regime, and with firm rulings, will make an example of them all,” Iranian media quoted the spokesman as saying.