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Iranian Sunni cleric killed by unknown gunmen in country’s southeast, state media

By Thomson Reuters Jul 20, 2026 | 3:04 AM

DUBAI, July 20 (Reuters) – Molavi Mohammad Anvar Rigi, a ​Sunni Friday prayer ‌leader in the southeastern Iranian border town of Mirjaveh, was ‌killed ​on Monday ⁠by unidentified gunmen, ⁠Iran’s state media reported, citing local authorities.

Sistan-Baluchistan province, one ​of the country’s poorest provinces and ⁠with ⁠a large Sunni ​Baluch population, has long ​experienced Islamist or ethnic ‌militants fighting security forces or other figures aligned ⁠with Tehran.

Officials said investigations were ongoing and urged residents ⁠to ‌remain calm, ⁠saying the attack ​was ‌aimed at undermining ​security ⁠and stoking sectarian divisions in the province.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Alison ​Williams)