6 Iranian border guards killed in clashes near Pakistan border

TEHRAN, Iran

Six Iranian border guards were killed in clashes with gunmen in Sistan-Baluchestan province in southeastern Iran, according to state news agency IRNA on Sunday.

A group calling itself the Army of Justice claimed responsibility for the attack. The group, which is classified by Tehran as a terrorist organization, says it is defending the Sunni minority in Iran.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani condemned the attack and called on Pakistan to act against terror groups.

“Pakistan, from which the terrorists had tried to illegally enter Iran, is expected to fulfill mutual agreements on countering terrorist groups,” he said.

“Pakistani authorities to do more to ensure security along the joint border with Iran,” the spokesman added.

“Iran believes that the terrorist attack on border guards was an attempt to damage cooperation and friendly relations between Tehran and Islamabad, especially after a May 18 visit by Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province,” Kanaani said.

There was no comment from the Pakistani authorities on the Iranian statements.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi

TEHRAN, Iran

Six Iranian border guards were killed in clashes with gunmen in Sistan-Baluchestan province in southeastern Iran, according to state news agency IRNA on Sunday.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani condemned the attack and called on Pakistan to act against terror groups.

“Pakistan, from which the terrorists had tried to illegally enter Iran, is expected to fulfill mutual agreements on countering terrorist groups,” he said.

“Pakistani authorities to do more to ensure security along the joint border with Iran,” the spokesman added.

There was no comment from the Pakistani authorities on the Iranian statements.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi