The Baloch are divided between Pakistan (where most live), Iran, and Afghanistan. In Iran, they inhabit the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, one of the country’s poorest and most marginalized regions. Unlike the Shia Persian majority, the Baloch are overwhelmingly Sunni, adding a sectarian dimension to their grievances.

Throughout the 20th century, the Baloch of Iran pushed for greater autonomy, and occasionally armed resistance. The movement gained momentum alongside the broader Baloch nationalist struggle in Pakistan, where multiple insurgencies have taken place. In Iran, repression has been severe, with Tehran regarding Baloch activism as both separatism and extremism. Groups such as Jundallah and other Baloch militant factions have staged attacks, though these are often framed in religious as well as nationalist terms.

While West Balochistan has never declared independence, the idea of a united and sovereign Greater Balochistan—encompassing Iranian, Pakistani, and Afghan Baloch lands—remains a powerful symbol for nationalists. Today, Iranian Baloch continue to face poverty, underdevelopment, and state repression, and their calls for recognition or autonomy remain unmet.