Armed attackers stormed a courthouse in Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, injuring several in what Iranian authorities call a terrorist act. Security forces quickly responded, and an investigation is underway as the region remains on high alert.

Gunmen Launch Terrorist Attack on Courthouse in Zahedan, Iran

Zahedan, Iran – July 26, 2025 — Armed assailants stormed a courthouse in the southeastern Iranian city of Zahedan on Friday, in what officials are calling a terrorist attack. The incident took place in the Sistan and Baluchestan province — a region long plagued by unrest and militant activity.

According to Iranian state television, multiple gunmen opened fire on the courthouse during working hours, triggering panic and chaos among employees and civilians present at the scene. Security forces responded swiftly, engaging the attackers in a fierce exchange of gunfire that lasted for several minutes.

Initial reports confirm that several people were injured, including security personnel, though the exact number of casualties has not been officially released. Iranian authorities have not yet confirmed if any of the attackers were killed or apprehended, but local news agencies reported that the situation was brought under control by the early afternoon.

Footage aired by Iranian media showed a large security presence outside the courthouse, with armored vehicles, ambulances, and police cordons surrounding the area. Smoke was seen rising from part of the building, suggesting possible damage caused during the assault.

The Ministry of Interior issued a statement condemning the attack and praising the quick action of security forces. “Terrorists attempted to spread fear and instability in one of our key judicial institutions, but their plot was foiled thanks to the vigilance of our security personnel,” the statement read.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of Friday evening. However, the province of Sistan and Baluchestan — which borders Pakistan and Afghanistan — has been the site of frequent attacks by Sunni extremist groups and drug smuggling networks. The area is home to Iran’s Baluchi minority, and tensions between local communities and Tehran have often led to violent incidents.

Zahedan, the provincial capital, has seen periodic unrest over the past few years. In 2022 and 2023, protests and clashes erupted in the city following allegations of police abuse and broader dissatisfaction with the central government's policies in the region. Iranian authorities have routinely accused foreign-backed militant groups of exploiting local grievances to incite violence.

The judiciary building targeted in Friday's attack serves as a hub for legal proceedings involving both civil and criminal cases. It is not yet clear whether the gunmen were targeting specific officials, seeking to free detainees, or attempting to make a political statement through the act of violence.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has been briefed on the situation and has ordered a full investigation. In a televised message, he vowed that those responsible would be “tracked down and dealt with decisively.”

Security has since been heightened across Zahedan and surrounding districts. Checkpoints have been established at city entry points, and local authorities have urged residents to remain calm but vigilant.

As investigations continue, the attack underscores the fragile security landscape in Iran’s border provinces and the persistent threat posed by armed groups operating within and beyond the country’s frontiers.