Why it matters:
The scale of arrests and casualties reveals both the intensity of terrorist threats along Iran’s eastern border and the IRGC’s sustained campaign to neutralize them. It also highlights the region’s strategic importance and the need for coordinated security and development efforts.
The big picture:
Sistan and Baluchestan—bordering Pakistan—is one of Iran’s most volatile provinces, frequently targeted by foreign-backed terrorist groups. The IRGC’s operations aim not just to dismantle terrorist networks but to restore stability and create conditions for long-term development in an underinvested region.
What he’s saying:
Brig. Gen. Pakpour: “In operations following the November attack in Gohar Kuh, we arrested over 150 terrorists and eliminated 100 others. Many were linked to a fugitive local operative now collaborating with foreign enemies.”
He emphasized that the plotters attempted to destabilize the region by impersonating locals and smuggling arms and ammunition disguised as fuel containers.
Go deeper:
Sistan and Baluchestan has long been a focal point in Iran’s internal security strategy. Facing infiltration by militants from across the Pakistani border, the province is at the intersection of national security, counterterrorism, and socio-economic development.
Mojtaba Darabi
