Title: Iran Blames ISIS for Second Attack on Shrine; Arrests Foreign Nationals for Assault
Subtitle: Revenge for Executions of Previous Attackers Behind Latest Assault
Tehran, Iran – Iran has attributed the second deadly attack in less than a year on a major shrine in southern Shiraz to the armed group ISIS (ISIL). The Iranian government has arrested a group of foreign nationals in connection with the assault.
The governor of Fars province, where the shooting took place, stated, “The motivation of this Daeshi [ISIL-affiliated] individual was to take revenge for the executions of the two terrorists of the previous incident.” It has been reported that Iran executed two men in early June for their involvement in the previous attack on the Shah Cheragh shrine, which resulted in the deaths of 13 people.
Iranian state-linked media highlighted that ISIS-K, the Khorasan province affiliate of the Islamic State, had recently threatened Iran in response to the execution of its operatives. Ramezan Sharif, the spokesperson of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), declared on Monday that “the goals of Daesh [ISIL] and other terrorists against the national interests and people of Iran are intertwined.” He pledged a decisive response to terrorists.
On Sunday evening, Rahmatollah Nowruzof from Tajikistan, a lone gunman, entered the Shah Cherag Shrine and opened fire on pilgrims and staff, killing one person and injuring several others. Previous reports had initially indicated the involvement of two shooters.
Several critically injured individuals were rushed to the hospital, with at least one person falling into a coma, according to state-linked media.
The Shah Cheragh Shrine, one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam, had previously experienced a breach on October 26, 2022. During that attack, a gunman armed with an assault rifle killed 13 people and injured 40 before being killed.
In response to that attack, Iranian authorities charged and executed two Afghan nationals as ISIL agents in early June. Additionally, three other individuals received prison sentences ranging from five to 25 years for collaborating with the armed group responsible for the attack, which had also carried out coordinated attacks in Tehran in 2017.
The shooter from Sunday’s incident was apprehended at the scene by shrine staff and security personnel.
Fars province chief justice Kazem Mousavi confirmed that 10 individuals, all foreign nationals, have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the shooting. Mousavi stated that the safe house of the terrorists has been discovered, without providing further details.
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, after visiting the shrine on Monday, revealed that the assailant was being directed from abroad as part of a network.
As Iran grapples with repeated attacks on its sacred sites, authorities remain committed to taking decisive action against terrorists and ensuring the safety of its citizens and religious pilgrims.