Tehran, Oct 31 (Alliance News): In a historic decision, Iran has appointed Mansour Bijar, a member of the Baloch minority, as the governor of Sistan-Baluchistan province, marking the first time a Baloch leader has held this position in the troubled southeastern region.
This appointment, reported by AFP, was confirmed by government spokesperson Fatemi Mahjrani following a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
Mansour Bijar, a 50-year-old Sunni Muslim from the Baloch community, was selected in the wake of a deadly attack in Sistan-Baluchistan that left at least 10 policemen dead.
The Sunni jihadist group Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for the incident. Bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan, Sistan-Baluchistan remains one of Iran’s poorest and most volatile regions, with a long-standing history of separatist and extremist violence.
Iran’s move reflects a recent trend toward increased inclusivity, with similar appointments in other provinces. In September, Iran appointed its first Sunni governor in Kurdistan province since the 1979 revolution.
Additionally, President Masoud Al-Maghjian recently nominated Abdulkarim Hosseinzadeh, a Sunni, as vice president for rural development, although his appointment was later blocked by parliament.
Last week, Mohammad Reza Mawalizada, of Arab descent, was appointed governor of the southwestern province of Khuzestan.