The incident took place in the Minab region, where police tried to prevent large amounts of illicit drugs, fuel, livestock and other goods from being smuggled, the news agency specified, citing Commander of Iranian Border Police Brig. Gen. Qasem Rezaei.
The smugglers are said to have ignored the police's warning and opened fire at the officers.
Smuggling has crippled Iranian security and is an issue that has been highlighted by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on numerous occasions. He, in particular, has called on law enforcement to boost its capabilities and take tougher measures against smugglers.