One Person Killed and Eight Wounded in Attack at Shrine in Iranian City of Shiraz
Shiraz, Iran – In a “terrorist” attack that took place at the Shah Cheragh shrine in the Iranian city of Shiraz, one person was reported killed and eight others were injured, according to state media reports on Sunday. The official IRNA news agency stated that a gunman tried to enter the shrine and opened fire on visitors before being subdued.
This is not the first time the Shah Cheragh shrine has been targeted. Last year, an attack claimed by Islamic State (IS) resulted in the deaths of 13 people. No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack at the shrine.
Initially, state media reported that two attackers were involved and four people had been killed. However, revised figures revealed that there was only one lone attacker, with one fatality and eight injuries. Yadollah Bouali, the regional Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps commander, confirmed the incident on State TV, stating that “a terrorist entered the gate of the shrine and opened fire with a battle rifle.”
According to the semi-official Fars news agency, the gunman attempted to enter the shrine through the Bab al-Mahdi door but was met with resistance from the protection forces. Witnesses told Fars that the assailant started shooting indiscriminately after being confronted.
Tasnim, another semi-official news organization, reported that at least seven people were wounded, and as a result, shops in the vicinity were closed. The shrine area has been cordoned off by security forces, according to State TV. Pictures released by Tasnim showed bullet holes in what appeared to be the barred windows at the shrine’s entrance, which is considered one of Iran’s most vital pilgrimage sites.
The Shah Cheragh shrine holds the tombs of two sons of the seventh Shia Imam Musa al-Kadhim, who are also brothers of the eighth Imam Ali al-Rida.
In response to the attack, Iran recently executed two individuals accused of involvement in the October 2022 attack on the shrine. The main perpetrator, identified as Hamed Badakhshan, an Afghan national in his 30s, was killed at the scene. Three other defendants received prison sentences of up to 25 years for their affiliation with IS.
Islamic State (IS) has previously claimed responsibility for various attacks in Iran, including the 2017 twin bombings targeting the country’s parliament and the tomb of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic.