Iran's Revolutionary Guards said six gunmen were killed on Thursday in an hours-long clash with security forces in southeastern Iran, the latest in a series of armed confrontations in the restive Sistan-Baluchestan province.

Axar.az reports, citing Iran International, Haalvsh, which covers developments in Sistan-Baluchestan, said fighting in the Manzelab area near Zahedan began at about 6 a.m., with heavy gunfire and rocket-propelled grenade fire heard in the area.

The group said the confrontation between Iranian security forces and armed men continued for several hours.

The IRGC's Quds regional headquarters said its forces had identified and "destroyed" what it described as an armed "terrorist-Takfiri" cell in Manzelab.

The Guards said the group had been preparing an attack but was detected before it could carry it out. Six members were killed and several explosive devices were recovered, according to the statement.

The IRGC did not identify the group or name those killed.