Widespread Security Forces Presence in Sistan and Baluchestan; Protesters: 'I will kill whoever killed my brother'

On July 2, the city of Zahedan witnessed another 'Protest Friday' following Friday prayers led by Molavi Abdolhamid for several consecutive months. According to a post shared on social media, protesters in Zahedan chanted, 'I will kill whoever killed my brother.' Concurrently, there was a significant presence of security and law enforcement forces in Zahedan, and the internet in the city was cut off. 'Rape, crime, curse on this province' were among the slogans chanted by Baluch protesters in Iranshahr. Additionally, protesters took to the streets in Chabahar, with social media images showing a heavy presence of security forces. Reports indicate that other cities in Sistan and Baluchestan, including Rask, Pishin, and Suran, also saw protests on Friday, July 2. In an implicit reaction to a recent assassination attempt against him, Molavi Abdolhamid, the Sunni Imam of Zahedan, told the worshippers, 'Do not worry about anything; everything is in the hands of the Lord... Keep your calm.' He also stated, 'In pursuit of the people's interests, I will accept any threat.' Following the killing of dozens of worshippers in the 'Bloody Friday' of Zahedan on October 8 last year, the city has been the scene of anti-government protests every Friday after Molavi Abdolhamid's often critical sermons, during which protesters have chanted slogans against the entirety of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei, the Revolutionary Guards, and other government institutions. Continued ignorance about the status of two detained teenagers in Zahedan has led the judiciary of Sistan and Baluchestan to threaten Molavi Abdolhamid, stating, 'Do not prove the claim of an assassination attempt; we will take action.' An unsuccessful assassination attempt against Molavi Abdolhamid; a Revolutionary Guards intelligence officer was arrested 'disguised as a cleric.' Molavi Abdolhamid stated, 'You cannot silence women's voices; the rights of Baha'is should not be violated.' The Ministry of Intelligence prevented Molavi Abdolhamid from traveling for Hajj. Molavi Abdolhamid remarked, 'First, people's stomachs should be filled, then unveil advanced weapons.' Several Iranian border guards were killed in Saravan; IRNA reported it was due to clashes with 'bandits' and 'enemies of the regime.' Slogans such as 'Death to Khamenei the murderer' were heard in Tehran; protesters in Zahedan shouted: 'My dear brother, I will take your blood back.'