According to the semi-official Mehr news agency, unidentified gunmen killed nine foreign nationals near the Pakistani border in southeastern Iran. The shootings took place in the restless Sistan-Baluchestan province, and no individuals or groups have claimed responsibility for the attack. Baluch rights group Haalvash reported that the victims were Pakistani laborers who lived and worked at an auto repair shop, with three others wounded in the incident.
Pakistani, Iranian ambassadors just returned to their posts
The shootings occurred as the Pakistani and Iranian ambassadors returned to their postings after being recalled due to missile strikes exchanged between the two countries aimed at militant targets. The impoverished region has a history of sporadic clashes between security forces and separatist militants, as well as smugglers carrying opium from Afghanistan. Iran also experiences fuel smuggling to Pakistan and Afghanistan due to its low fuel prices.
