On July 26, 2025, a deadly attack shook the southeastern Iranian city of Zahedan, the capital of Sistan-Baluchestan province, when gunmen launched a coordinated assault on the local courthouse. The assault, involving gunfire and grenades, claimed the lives of at least six civilians—including a woman and a child—and injured 22 others, with several reported in critical condition. Security forces swiftly responded, engaging the attackers and ultimately killing all three assailants during the clash, according to Iranian state media.
The Iranian Ministry of Justice promptly condemned the incident as a terrorist attack, underscoring the severity of the violence that unfolded in a region already fraught with tension and conflict. The semiofficial Tasnim news agency, known for its close ties to Iran’s security apparatus, attributed responsibility to the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice), a Baloch separatist organization that has long sought greater autonomy and rights for the ethnic Baloch minority in Iran’s eastern provinces.
Jaish al-Adl claimed the attack via its Telegram channel, warning judicial workers that Sistan-Baluchestan was "no longer a safe place" for them. The group called on civilians to evacuate the area immediately for their safety. This militant faction, designated a terrorist organization by both Iran and the United States, has been engaged in frequent and often deadly clashes with Iranian security forces, particularly in this underdeveloped and restive province bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The attack began when the assailants, reportedly disguised as visitors, attempted to enter the courthouse on Azadi Street in Zahedan. When law enforcement prevented their entry, the attackers opened fire inside the building and hurled grenades, causing chaos and casualties among judiciary staff, security personnel, and civilians alike. Eyewitnesses and local human rights groups reported that several judicial employees were either killed or wounded in the assault.
The province of Sistan-Baluchestan is home to Iran’s Baloch minority, a predominantly Sunni Muslim ethnic group that has historically faced political exclusion and economic marginalization in the majority Shiite country. These grievances have fueled long-standing tensions and periodic violence. The region’s strategic location along the borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan has made it a hotspot for smuggling, insurgency, and militant activity.
Jaish al-Adl, which emerged in 2012, has a history of violent attacks targeting Iranian security forces and officials. In January 2024, the group claimed responsibility for assassinating three Revolutionary Guards officers, including Colonel Hossein-Ali Javdanfar, commander of the Sistan-Baluchestan Corps of the Quds Force. A few months later, coordinated attacks in several cities targeted IRGC, naval, intelligence, and police facilities, resulting in the deaths of 21 security personnel and 18 militants.
The Iranian government accuses Jaish al-Adl of receiving support from foreign powers and engaging in cross-border smuggling and insurgency operations. The group’s activities have exacerbated instability in a province already grappling with poverty and underdevelopment, making it one of the least developed regions in Iran.
Medical authorities in Zahedan reported that emergency services responded promptly to the attack, carrying out diagnostic and surgical procedures on the wounded. Dr. Mohammad Hassan Mohammadi, head of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, confirmed the critical condition of several injured victims. Visitors to the courthouse were evacuated as security forces secured the area.
This latest assault is the deadliest militant attack in Iran since October 2024, when Jaish al-Adl militants ambushed a police convoy in the same province, killing ten officers. The attack underscores the ongoing volatility in Sistan-Baluchestan, where ethnic and sectarian divisions, combined with economic hardship and porous borders, create a fertile ground for insurgency and violence.
Iranian officials emphasize the vigilance and rapid response of law enforcement personnel, who prevented the attackers from gaining full access to the courthouse and minimized what could have been an even greater tragedy. Nonetheless, the incident highlights the persistent security challenges facing the region and the broader implications for Iran’s internal stability.
As the government continues its crackdown on militant groups, the underlying issues of discrimination and underdevelopment remain pressing concerns for the Baloch community. The cycle of violence and repression threatens to perpetuate instability, raising difficult questions about how to address the root causes of unrest while ensuring the safety of civilians and judicial workers in this sensitive border province.
