Sistan and Baluchestan Leaders Condemn Assassination of Sunni Prayer Leader

Tribal leaders, religious scholars, community figures and residents of Iran’s southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan Province have condemned the assassination of Molavi Yousef Gorgij, a prominent Sunni prayer leader. In a statement issued Tuesday, the signatories called for those responsible for the “cowardly assassination” to be swiftly identified and brought to justice, stressing that the incident requires greater public vigilance.

The statement warned that the assassination could be part of an attempt to undermine stability and create divisions in the strategically important province. The signatories said hostile actors seek to weaken unity, disrupt public security and hinder the region’s development by creating chaos and discord. They called for solidarity, vigilance and cooperation among local communities to prevent such efforts from succeeding.

Zahedan Governor Jamshid Rokhshani Nasab said Gorgij was assassinated outside his residence on Monday by unidentified gunmen. Speaking to IRNA, the governor provided no further details about the circumstances of the attack but said Gorgij had been actively involved in efforts to counter divisive elements and Israel-affiliated mercenaries operating in the region.