Anti-government protests continue in Southeastern Iran

Another anti-government rally sparked in Southeast Iran’s city of Zahedan in the province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

Protests in this part of the Islamic Republic have taken place almost every Friday since September 2022, Anadolu reports.

Footage published on social networks shows a crowd of people leaving the Mecca mosque after Friday prayers on June 9, followed by placards, chanting slogans condemning the government.

Sunni cleric and Imam Abdulhamid Ismailzehi said he drew the worshippers' attention to a hypersonic ballistic missile developed by Iranian engineers during the prayers.

"We are excited about an advanced weapon designed for our defence. However, instead of new developments, we would be happier with ‘full stomachs’ of the population. People are screaming about it in the streets every day," the Imam said.

Earlier, a high-ranking Sunni cleric was killed in the Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

On February 16, the IRNA news agency reported on the detention of two foreigners who allegedly "played an important role in creating an atmosphere of insecurity in the state.”