Zahedan
Zahedan (Balochi and Persian: ⓘ, Zâhedân [zɒːheˈd̪ɒːn]) is a city in the Central District of Zahedan County, Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran and serves as capital of the province, county and district. It is near the Iran-Pakistan border.
Zahedan
زاهدان | |
|---|---|
City | |
Makki Mosque in Zahedan | |
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Seal | |
Zahedan | |
| Coordinates: 29°30′09″N 60°51′21″E | |
| Country | Iran |
| Province | Sistan and Baluchestan |
| County | Zahedan |
| District | Central |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Mohammad Amir Barahuyi |
| Elevation | 1,352 m (4,436 ft) |
| Population (2016) | |
| • Urban | 587,730 |
| Time zone | UTC+3:30 (IRST) |
| Area code | +98-54 |
| Climate | BWh |
| Website | zahedan |
At the 2006 census, its population was 552,706 in 109,488 households. The following census in 2011 counted 560,725 people in 134,088 households. The 2016 census showed a population of 587,730 people in 146,717 households.
The city was the site of a deadly crackdown in October 2022, with dozens citizens killed by pro-governmental forces. Over 90 people were killed. Two senior police officials were fired in the aftermath of the crackdown. On 28 October, there were protests in Zahedan and security forces fired on protestors, killing 1 and injuring 14.
On 3 November 2022, the Shi'i cleric and Khamenei loyalist Sajjad Shahraki was assassinated in Zahedan. The next day, there were widespread protests in the city and Revolutionary Guards and other armed forces fired on protestors.