Key facts
- Molavi Mohammad Anvar Rigi, a Sunni Friday prayer leader in Mirjaveh, was killed by unidentified gunmen.
- The attack occurred in Iran's southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province.
- Iranian authorities are investigating the incident.
- Officials believe the attack was intended to undermine security and incite sectarian divisions.
- The IRGC's Quds Force condemned the killing and blamed Israeli-linked groups.
Molavi Mohammad Anvar Rigi, a Sunni Friday prayer leader in the southeastern Iranian town of Mirjaveh, was killed by unidentified gunmen on Monday, according to Iran's state media. Sistan-Baluchestan province, where the attack occurred, is one of Iran's poorest regions and has a significant Sunni Baluch population, with a history of militant activity against security forces and government figures.
Officials stated that investigations into the killing are underway and urged the public to remain calm, suggesting the attack was aimed at destabilizing the province and exacerbating sectarian tensions. The Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) issued a strong condemnation of the killing, attributing it to groups "affiliated with Israel." The IRGC vowed that those responsible would face punishment and that the incident would not diminish the unity between Shiites and Sunnis in the province.
This incident follows a series of targeted killings in the region, with authorities previously blaming foreign-backed terrorist groups. Recent attacks include the killing of Mullah Kamal Salahi-zehi, a prominent Sunni tribal elder, and the deaths of Reza Azarkish, a local Basij militia member, and Iraj Shams Askani, a member of the Revolutionary Guards, with the latter attack claimed by the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl.