At least 8 dead, including 5 civilians, in a deadly terrorist attack on a judiciary building in Zahedan, Iran. Jaish al-Adl claims responsibility.
⚠️ Deadly Terrorist Attack Hits Iran’s Judiciary in Zahedan
A terrorist assault rocked southeastern Iran on Saturday as unknown assailants launched a coordinated and deadly attack on a judiciary building in Zahedan, the capital of Sistan-Baluchistan province.
According to Iranian state media, at least eight people were killed — including five civilians and three attackers — while 13 others sustained injuries during the ambush. The incident is the latest in a string of extremist violence linked to Sunni insurgent group Jaish al-Adl.
🔫 What Happened? Coordinated Armed Assault on Courthouse
📍 Location: Judiciary Center, Zahedan
Gunmen stormed the judges’ chambers inside the judiciary complex, sparking gunfire and explosions that reportedly left the building heavily damaged and civilians scrambling for cover.
According to Fars News Agency, the assailants may have included a suicide bomber, raising fears of a complex and premeditated terrorist operation.
🎙️ “The attackers stormed the court building and opened fire indiscriminately,” said an unnamed Iranian official. “They targeted judges and court personnel in what appears to be an act of terror.”
🧨 Who Is Behind the Attack? Jaish al-Adl Claims Responsibility
The Sunni extremist group Jaish al-Adl has claimed responsibility for the courthouse assault in an official statement. The group has a long history of insurgent activity in Sistan-Baluchistan, a volatile region bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Founded in 2012, Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) has been designated a terrorist organization by Iran, and is known for:
- Targeting security forces and government installations
- Operating in the Baluchi-majority region
- Allegedly receiving support from foreign elements hostile to Tehran
🔍 “This attack fits the group’s playbook: high-visibility targets, coordinated strikes, and propaganda via rapid claim of responsibility,” said a regional security expert.
🩺 Casualties and Medical Response
At least 13 people were injured, with several in critical condition, according to the Mehr News Agency. Hospitals in Zahedan were placed on emergency footing as ambulances rushed the wounded from the scene.
Eyewitnesses, quoted by the Baluch rights group HAALVSH, claimed that several judiciary officials and security guards were also among the casualties.
🚨 Local media aired footage of sirens blaring, bloodied victims being carried out, and shattered glass across the court compound.
🌍 Why Zahedan? A Flashpoint of Ethnic and Sectarian Tensions
Zahedan, located in the restive Sistan-Baluchistan province, is a frequent site of militant attacks. The region is:
- Predominantly Sunni Muslim, in contrast to Iran’s majority Shia population
- Underdeveloped and marginalized, with high poverty and unemployment
- Home to Baluchi ethnic groups with long-standing grievances against the central government
Jaish al-Adl has often exploited local discontent to recruit members and launch attacks, particularly targeting Iranian security infrastructure.
🔍 Pattern of Escalation: Recent Jaish al-Adl Activities
This is not an isolated incident. The group has intensified its attacks in 2024 and 2025, with:
- Ambushes on military convoys
- Bombings near border patrol stations
- Cross-border operations allegedly launched from Pakistani territory
In early 2024, Jaish al-Adl killed 11 Iranian border guards, prompting diplomatic tensions with Pakistan. The Iranian government demanded stronger border controls and launched retaliatory operations.
🇮🇷 Government Response: “Swift Justice Will Be Delivered”
Iran’s authorities have vowed strong retaliation. Officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that operations are underway to track remaining militants and dismantle sleeper cells.
Interior Ministry spokesperson said:
“This cowardly act of terror will not go unanswered. The judiciary and security forces will respond with full force to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
🧠 Analysis: What This Attack Signals About Iran’s Security Challenges
🔄 Internal vs. External Threats
While Iran has been focusing its foreign policy and military attention on regional conflicts (including its backing of groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen), domestic unrest in restive provinces like Sistan-Baluchistan poses a serious challenge to internal stability.
🤯 Psychological Impact
The fact that judges and judiciary chambers were targeted suggests a calculated psychological attack — meant to:
- Undermine the rule of law
- Intimidate judicial figures involved in anti-terror cases
- Demonstrate state vulnerability
⚖️ Regional Implications
This also threatens to:
- Strain Iran-Pakistan relations, if attackers crossed the porous border
- Trigger harsher security crackdowns on Baluch populations
- Increase surveillance and restrictions in ethnic Sunni-majority areas
🌐 International Reactions Awaited
As of now, no international condemnation or reaction has been officially recorded, but Iran is likely to call for global condemnation of Jaish al-Adl and pressure neighboring countries to prevent cross-border militancy.
🕊️ Conclusion: A Grim Reminder of Iran’s Internal Security Struggles
The Zahedan judiciary attack serves as a chilling reminder that Iran’s domestic security remains fragile, particularly in its ethnically and religiously diverse provinces.
As the country grapples with economic pressures, political unrest, and international isolation, homegrown insurgencies like those led by Jaish al-Adl may increasingly exploit the cracks in state control.
Iran now faces the dual task of retaliation and reconciliation — crushing terrorism without further alienating the marginalized communities that are often caught in the crossfire.
