Iran: At least 8 killed in Zahedan courthouse attack

In Iran, a "terrorist" attack on the Sistan-Baluchistan Provincial Court in the city of Zahedan left at least eight dead and 13 injured. The still-preliminary toll was released by judicial sources. The website Iran International reported that Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack. The group, designated a "terrorist organization" by both the Islamic Republic and the United States, has carried out attacks against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) positions and military forces in Sistan-Baluchistan province in recent years. "Unknown gunmen attacked the judicial center in Zahedan," the capital of the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, the judicial news agency Mizan Online stated. "Five people were killed and 13 injured in this terrorist attack," the same source added. Separately, the official news agency IRNA reported that three of the attackers were killed during the assault, bringing the death toll to eight. Different versions are circulating regarding the circumstances of the attack. The Fars news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that the attack was carried out by "unknown armed men." Fars reported that several injured people were transported with the help of rescue forces and that customers were escorted out of the building by security forces. Video published by Fars documents a powerful explosion, the cause of which has not yet been identified, but may have been caused by a suicide bomber at the scene of the attack. Mizan news agency, the Islamic Republic's judicial outlet, reported that clashes took place at the courthouse, which have now ended. The Halvash website, which covers news in Sistan and Baluchestan province, reported that "several armed men" stormed the Sistan and Baluchestan courthouse on Azadi Street in Zahedan. "The attackers entered the building and stormed directly into the judges' hall, and according to eyewitnesses, several judicial and military personnel were killed and injured during the attack," the station wrote. "Heavy mortar attacks are underway against the courthouse by gunmen, and explosions and intense gunfire are also being heard," it added. "As Jaish al-Adl attacked the courthouse, security forces opened indiscriminate and aimless fire from the top of a nearby building at courthouse residents inside the compound and in some parts of the courthouse," Halvash reported. The Revolutionary Guards-affiliated Tasnim news agency issued an "immediate security alert" to the residents of Zahedan, stating that, in light of the armed attack on the Zahedan courthouse, all citizens are urged to "seriously refrain from being inside and near the courthouse." Tasnim then called on residents to keep the roads leading to the crash site clear to allow emergency services and security forces to reach the site. Shortly thereafter, Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack: "Operation Insaf Basque (the arm of justice) began with an attack by a group of devotees of divine justice on the judiciary in the capital of Sistan and Baluchestan province." Since the fall of 2022, following the bloody Friday in Zahedan and the repression of popular protests during Friday prayers in several cities in Sistan and Baluchestan province, several members of the Islamic Republic's security forces and army have been killed by gunmen.

Jaish al-Adl has previously claimed responsibility for some of these attacks against security forces and the Islamic Republic's army.