Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan Province has seen an increase in unrest in recent weeks. This unrest includes armed attacks, assassinations, and armed clashes in the provincial capital of Zahedan as well as in smaller border towns.
Unstable Economic Situation
This border region, which includes the Baluch ethnic minority, has become one of the economically weak areas in Iran. While Pakistan's Balochistan Province also suffers from a lack of economic development despite large natural resources such as natural gas, gold, and copper, Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan Province faces inadequate infrastructure, limited educational opportunities, and water shortages.
Read more: Nancy Pelosi and other American lawmakers received suspicious letters
Reasons for Discontent
Some Baluch groups in Iran are seeking the independence of Balochistan, but so far there is no evidence of coordinated cooperation among these organizations. In December 2025, several opposition Baluch groups in Iran united under the name "People's Fighters Front," which is seen as an effort to consolidate their political and military activities. This coalition may seek to exploit the security gaps created by the current situation.
An informed source in Iran attributes some of the armed violence to political, economic, and religious discontent. According to this source, discrimination in employment, education, and regional development fuels tensions. Additionally, the high number of executions in this province has been cited as another factor of discontent.
Despite Baluch people constituting only 2 to 6 percent of Iran's population, they account for a significantly higher percentage of executions compared to other ethnic groups in the country. Reports indicate that Baluch people made up 9 percent of all recorded executions in 2025.
For many residents of this economically weak region, drug and fuel trafficking is one of the few ways to earn income, which exacerbates military and security presence at the borders.
Violence has also increased in Pakistan's Balochistan Province, and reports indicate that the number of armed attacks in this province reached 131 in September. This situation has added pressure on the strategic communication routes between Iran and Pakistan.
Read more: Russia launched extensive attacks on Ukraine · Increase in electricity costs has put significant financial pressure on Americans
