IRGC Condemns Assassination of Kurdish Cleric in West Azarbaijan

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has condemned the assassination of Kurdish cleric Mamosta Mohammad Nozhati in Iran’s western province of West Azarbaijan, describing the incident as a “heinous and brutal terrorist crime.” In a statement, the Public Relations Department of the IRGC’s Beit al-Moqaddas Corps expressed condolences to Nozhati’s family and the people of the province, while attributing the attack to what it described as “Zionist-American separatist groups.”

The IRGC said the killing was not only an attempt to assassinate a prominent religious figure but also an effort to create divisions among Muslims, undermine unity between Shia and Sunni communities and destabilize society. The force highlighted Nozhati’s longstanding cooperation with Basij organizations representing university professors, seminary students and clerics, describing his record as one of public service, humility and personal integrity.

The statement noted that West Azarbaijan has experienced similar violent incidents since the establishment of the Islamic Republic, but argued that such attacks have failed to weaken relations between Shia and Sunni Muslims and religious scholars in the province. Instead, the IRGC said, attempts to fuel sectarian and ethnic divisions have strengthened solidarity and ties among the communities and their followers.