Clashes Reported In Irans Southeastern City Of Saravan

RFE
23 Sep 2026

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17:28

Clashes Reported In Irans Southeastern City Of Saravan

Iranian security forces and unidentified gunmen have reportedly engaged in heavy fighting in the southeastern city of Saravan, according to Iranian media and reports from the region.

Fighting reportedly began around 1300 local time, in the Jihadabad area of Saravan, located in the Sistan-Baluchestan Province.

Videos published by Haalvsh, a rights group and media organization, captured the sound of sustained gunfire as security forces blocked roads leading to the site of the clashes. Other footage showed a drone flying over the area, heavy smoke rising above the neighborhood, and a building on fire.

These videos have not been independently verified.

Iranian state media and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said security forces had targeted what they described as a terrorist group, which it said had intended on carrying out an assassination operation but was identified and targeted based on information received from the public.

Five members of the group were reportedly killed and others arrested, while weapons and ammunition were seized. The IRGC said that one of its guards was killed.

The reports could not be independently confirmed by RFE/RL.

Sistan-Baluchestan, which borders both Pakistan and Afghanistan, is predominantly populated by people of Baloch ethnicity. Unlike in the rest of Iran, most of the population is Sunni Muslim.

The province has seen a long-running insurgency involving Baloch armed groups, with militants frequently targeting figures associated with the Iranian state. On September 14, unidentified attackers assassinated the pro-government Sunni Baloch cleric Yousef Gorgij outside his home in Zahedan, the capital of the province.

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14:56

Iranian MP Says Pezeshkian-Trump Meeting 'Likely'

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RFE/RL

Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, an Iranian lawmaker and member of parliament's National Security Commission, said he thinks it is "likely" that Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump will meet in New York during this week's United Nations General Assembly.

"It would not be bad if the Iranian president had a meeting with him [Trump], but the nature of the relationship between the two countries is much more complicated than solving problems with a meeting," he said in aninterviewwith the Iranian news outlet Didban.

Ardestani added that while a meeting between the two failed to materialize last year during the UNGA even though Pezeshkian was prepared to hold talks, "I think it is likely that their meeting will take place this time."

White House officials have given no indication that Trump will meet with his Iranian counterpart in New York, though the president himself said last week he would "probably" meet with Pezeshkian.

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and his delegation on September 22 at the General Assembly -- the first direct contact between the two sides since June -- that the US leader called "very productive."

Prior to that, Trump said during a speech to the UNGA that he would either strike a deal with Iran or annihilate it.

The possibility of a Trump-Pezeshkian meeting has already drawn criticism from hard-line figures in Iran.

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12:56

Iran Cancels Some International Flights As US Sanctions Bite

One of Irans largest carriers, Mahan Air operated a flight to China after the sanctions took effect. (file photo)

Iranian airlines canceled some international flights on September 23 after the United States tightened sanctions on Irans aviation industry as part of efforts to increase economic pressure on Tehran.

Flights from Iran to Baghdad, Muscat, Qatar, Georgia, and Azerbaijan were suspended, a Tehran travel agent told AFP, while services to destinations such as China and Turkey continued despite some cancelations.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessentannounced the measureson September 21, vowing to shut down Iranian carriers and threatening penalties against countries and companies that provide them with services.

The full impact remained unclear. Mahan Air, one of Irans largest carriers, operated a flight to Guangzhou after the sanctions took effect, while China said it opposed the measures.

Iraq has not publicly announced whether it will enforce the restrictions, although officials told AFP that Baghdad would comply. Iranian authorities were in talks to reroute Baghdad services to Najaf, a major destination for Shi'a pilgrims.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masud Pezeshkianflew to New Yorkon September 22 for the UN General Assembly aboard Ashianeh, a little-known Iranian airline that does not appear to be under US or EU sanctions.

With reporting by AFPShare

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12:19

Why Saudi Arabias Oil Is Getting Harder To Ship

The crises in the Middle East are creating a growing challenge for Saudi Arabia: how it gets its oil to global markets. Shipping costs are rising, oil recently topped $105 a barrel, and global inventories are being rapidly drained. (Video by Kian Sharifi and Kenan Cerimagic)