A Sunni Muslim cleric has been shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in a southeastern Iranian border town, according to reports from Iran’s state media citing local officials.
The victim, Molavi Mohammad Anvar Rigi, served as a Sunni Friday prayer leader in Mirjaveh, a town located near Iran’s southeastern border. The attack took place on Monday.
The incident occurred in Sistan-Baluchistan province, which is considered one of Iran’s poorest regions and is home to a significant Sunni Baluch population. The area has a long history of unrest, with Islamist and ethnic militant groups clashing with security forces and targeting individuals seen as aligned with the central government in Tehran.
Authorities confirmed that an investigation is underway and appealed to local residents to remain calm. Officials stated that the attack appeared to be designed to destabilize security in the region and inflame sectarian tensions within the province.
