Iran blames 'Israel' for deadly courthouse attack

At least six people were killed and 22 others injured in an attack on a courthouse in the southeastern Iranian city of Zahedan on Saturday, according to Iranian media.

The attack reportedly began with gunmen targeting the Ministry of Justice’s courthouse building before opening fire indiscriminately at civilians nearby, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported.

The public relations office of the Quds Headquarters, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Ground Forces, said the attackers initially focused on the courthouse before expanding the assault to surrounding areas.

General Ali Reza Daliri, deputy police chief of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, said three attackers wearing suicide vests were killed at the scene. He added that one of the assailants hurled a hand grenade inside the courthouse, causing a deadly explosion.

Daliri said the incident occurred around 8:30 AM when, according to Iranian officials, a “terrorist group linked to Israel” tried to infiltrate the courthouse disguised as workers.

A shootout erupted between the attackers and security forces, during which one of the gunmen was killed immediately. The grenade explosion reportedly killed several civilians, including a mother and her one-year-old child.

Daliri stated that the remaining attackers tried to flee to a nearby street but were located and killed by police forces during a firefight. He confirmed that all the assailants were neutralized and that investigations are ongoing.

Iranian media attributed the attack to the armed group "Jaish al-Adl," which Tehran classifies as a terrorist organization. The group claims to defend the rights of the Baluch minority in the region.