Theran: Sistan-Baluchestan, one of Iran's most volatile and problematic provinces, has a new governor in the form of IRGC General Mohammad Karami.
Like most provincial governorates in Sistan and Baluchistan province now under Raisi administration, it has a military man in charge of its administrative structure. Hossein Modredres Khalili, one of the few civilian provincial governors, was replaced by Karami.
Khalili, a man experienced in economic matters, was unable to fulfill Ibrahim Raisi's promise of development of the province. Hardliner Raisi took this pledge in return for the support given by the residents of the province in the 2021 presidential election. Voters in poorer areas voted mainly for candidates who had supported the reform four years earlier.
Karami has held the title of being the most powerful man in Kerman and Sistan-Baluchistan provinces for many years as the commander of the IRGC's Quds headquarters in southeast Iran.
After months of unrest marked by the IRGC's bloody attack on protesters in Zahedan, the capital of Sistan-Baluchestan, on 30 September, which left more than 200 dead, the government naturally looks to them to help calm the tense security situation .
The government also hopes that Karami will be successful in poverty alleviation projects in the region thanks to his prior experience. Even those supporting the government complained about the former governor's inability to do so.
On the other hand, Karami has a history which suggests that he supported equality between Shias and Sunnis. The frequency with which he has made similar claims—despite the possibility that they are part of a formulated rhetoric directed at Sunnis—may indicate his sincere desire to assist Sunnis, who have traditionally been Shia-dominated, rather than Sistan. Lives in the Baluchistan region of the province.
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That's a gain for Karami when you consider the effects of attacks that have claimed the lives of over a hundred Sunnis in the past three months.
Following IRGC attacks in Zahedan and Khash, according to the IRGC's Tasnim news website, Karami described them as "scenes where the blood of Sunnis and Shiites supported Islam against terrorism."
While this was going on, Karami was quoted by the local newspaper Asr-e Hamoon as saying that "Iran's enemies want to sow discord between Iran's Shiites and Sunnis."
Karami differs from other officials who have made similar statements in that he consistently noted the urgent need for the region's economic development, reform of the health and education systems, and attention to the ethnic issue.
In a related development, the staunchly conservative newspaper Vatan Imroz praised Karami's appointment and called it "a choice in favor of security".
The increase in "Takfiri terrorist activities" in the province and the resulting insecurity in the region were among the factors in Karami's appointment, according to the daily.
However, the daily noted that in his mandate for Karami, President Raisi stressed the need to raise the standard of living for the population.
The newspaper also cited Karami's statement at a recent conference in the region, during which he claimed that "enemies are taking advantage of the province's economic problems to sow discord between Muslim sects."
The statement highlighted both of his goals, promoting security and boosting the economy.
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According to Rouidad24, the former governor's biggest fault was his inability to maintain control over the province's security situation.
The government can rest assured that even if the new governor is powerless to influence the economy, he will undoubtedly be able to quell the protests.