Iran says six terrorists linked to Israel killed in Southeast raid

Tehran: Iranian intelligence forces have killed six suspected militants in a security operation in the southeastern province of Sistan-Balochistan, state media reported on Saturday.

According to the state-run IRNA news agency, the raid resulted in a gunfight that left six militants dead and two others captured. The operation also injured two intelligence officers and one police officer.

Authorities claim the group was connected to Israel and was planning an attack on a strategic facility.

IRNA quoted intelligence sources as saying the group had “Zionist links” and described the militants as part of a “terrorist network” targeting a “vital facility” in eastern Iran. Specific details, including the location and timing of the operation, were not disclosed.

The report also stated that the main team consisted of “seven non-Iranian terrorists,” but did not provide their nationalities.

Sistan-Balochistan, bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan, is a volatile region plagued by frequent violence involving separatist militants, drug traffickers, and jihadist groups. It is home to Iran’s Bal0ch minority and is considered one of the country’s poorest areas.

The raid comes shortly after the extremist group Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) claimed responsibility for an attack on Friday that killed five Iranian police officers.

In a separate incident on Sunday, Iranian forces reportedly killed seven members of another jihadist group, Ansar al-Furqan, in the same province.

Iran has accused Israel of carrying out covert operations and supporting opposition groups within the country, especially amid ongoing regional tensions.