Iran's Revolutionary Guards kill six 'terrorists' in restive region, IRNA news agency reports

Iran's Revolutionary Guards carried out a deadly strike on Thursday against six members of a terrorist group, according to the IRNA news agency. The operation took place in Zahedan, the capital of Sistan-Baluchistan province in southeastern Iran, a region frequently plagued by confrontations between security forces and various armed factions, comprising Sunni militants and separatists.

The clashes primarily occur in a province that borders Pakistan and Afghanistan and serves as a significant drug trafficking corridor. The IRNA report revealed that security forces had uncovered and dismantled explosive devices prior to the ambush. However, the agency did not disclose the identities of the individuals killed or provide additional details regarding the incident.

Tehran has previously labeled certain armed groups as having affiliations with foreign entities and engaging in cross-border smuggling activities. Human rights organization Haalvsh, which keeps a watchful eye on Sistan-Baluchistan, reported that violent skirmishes between military and security personnel alongside armed individuals erupted on Thursday morning.

In a separate development, the sound of an explosion was reported in Zahedan on Wednesday, though the blast did not result in any casualties or property damage, as per a Fars news agency account based on information from the city's administrative office. These developments unfold against the backdrop of Iran contemplating a U.S. response to its actions.