The Iranian Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has condemned the assassination of several senior Sunni tribal leaders and dignitaries from the Baloch tribe in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan, vowing swift retaliation against those responsible.

According to a statement released by the Quds Headquarters, affiliated with the IRGC’s ground forces, the targeted killing of community figures such as Mullah Kamal, Reza Azarkesh, Parviz Kadkhodaei, and Shams Askani was carried out by armed groups seeking to destabilize the region.

“This crime will not go unpunished,” the statement affirmed, pledging a decisive response to both the perpetrators and those who planned the attack.

Iran accuses Zionist-affiliated groups of instigating discord

The IRGC accused “groups hired by and affiliated with the Zionist entity” of carrying out the assassinations in a bid to fuel sectarian strife. The Guard emphasized that such operations reflect the malicious intent of external actors who aim to create division in Iran’s ethnically and religiously diverse regions.

In its statement, the IRGC called for greater unity among the people of Sistan and Baluchistan to counter these divisive efforts, stressing that the attack will not undermine the strong ties between Shiite and Sunni Muslims in the area.

🇮🇷 Commander of the IRGC Ground Forces in Sistan-Balochistan Province: 'The assassination of various Sunni tribal leaders by terrorist groups [Jaish Al-Adl] will not go unanswered. We will avenge the martyrs with all our might.' pic.twitter.com/2zWZKjtMF5

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Mullah Kamal: A figure of peace targeted

Iranian state media confirmed on Sunday morning that Mullah Kamal Salahi Zahi, a respected religious leader in the Sarbaz region, was among those assassinated in an armed attack. He was known for his role in mediating tribal conflicts and promoting reconciliation between Baloch factions.

Mullah Kamal had reportedly been targeted multiple times by terrorist and externally supported groups due to his peacemaking efforts, which had helped stabilize tensions in the region.

Tense security climate in Sistan and Baluchistan

Sistan and Baluchistan remains one of Iran’s most sensitive provinces in terms of security. The area has long been affected by the presence of separatist and extremist groups, including the so-called "Army of Justice," which has carried out repeated terrorist attacks in the region.

The IRGC’s Quds Headquarters warned that the latest attack is part of a broader effort to weaken Iran’s internal unity but insisted that such attempts would fail.

Read more: IRGC dismantles two terrorist cells in Iran's Sistan and Baluchistan