Iranian Sunni cleric killed by unknown gunmen in southeast

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.