Iran cracks down on Islamic State suspects as the extremist group intensifies threats

Facing a rising threat of terrorist attacks sponsored by Islamic State, Iran's government is trying to improve relations with the country's ethnic and religious minorities that have become a target for recruiting by the militant group.

Those populations, concentrated in far-flung provinces, have long been alienated politically and economically from the rest of the country.

But since terrorist attacks on June 7 killed 12 people and injured scores more in the capital, Tehran, the country's leaders have made them the focus of counter-terrorism efforts.

Officials said four of