Second Sunni Cleric Killed in Iran in Week

Molavi Yousef Gorgij was killed by unidentified gunmen at the entrance to his home in Zahedan on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. The Sunni cleric's death is the second such killing in Iran in under a week, after Mamosta Mohammad Nezhati died in West Azerbaijan on Sept. 9. Gorgij was the prayer leader of a mosque in Zahedan County. Iranian state television, as reported by AFP, said "Youssef Gargij, a Sunni cleric... was killed by Zionist mercenaries in front of his house." Zahedan Governor Jamshid Rakhshani-Nasab said Gorgij was "actively engaged in the fight against divisive elements and Zionism." The IRGC Ground Forces' Quds Base blamed "terrorist groups" after dismantling teams in the province. Some local outlets attributed the attack to Jaish al-Adl; no claim of responsibility was reported. Revolutionary Guards had blamed "Zionist-American Kurdish separatist groups" for the Nezhati killing. Weekend clashes spread across Saravan. State television said three security force members and five gunmen were killed Saturday. Baluch rights group Haalvsh reported heavy fighting, attacks on military vehicles, and dozens of security personnel killed or wounded, with gunfire continuing Sunday night. The province borders Pakistan and Afghanistan and has a large Sunni Baluch population.