TRAGEDY: Assassin Strikes Supreme Court, Kills Two Judges

Gunman Targets Senior Iranian Judges in a Deadly Supreme Court Shooting, Leaves Nation Reeling Amid Ongoing Security Concerns

TEHRAN, IRAN– Two senior Iranian judges, Ali Razini and Mohammad Moghiseh, were killed in a shocking shooting attack inside the Supreme Court in Tehran early Saturday. The assailant, armed with a handgun, took his own life after carrying out the attack, according to the judiciary’s media center.

The victims, both prominent Muslim scholars with the title of hujjat al-Islam, had long histories of presiding over high-profile cases involving national security, espionage, and terrorism. The judiciary described them as “courageous and experienced defenders of justice.”

Details of the Attack

Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir told state television that the assailant entered the judges’ office and opened fire before committing suicide. A bodyguard for one of the judges was injured during the attack, reported the Tehran Times.

The shooter’s identity and motive remain unclear. Authorities confirmed the attacker had no prior interactions with the Supreme Court, either as a visitor or a defendant.

While no arrests have been officially announced, state-affiliated media reported that several individuals at the court building were detained for questioning. The judiciary has warned against speculation as investigations continue.

Leaders Condemn the Act

President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the incident as a “terrorist and cowardly” act, urging security forces to act swiftly.

Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei attributed the attack to the judges’ firm sentencing of

“terrorists whose hands were soaked with the pure blood of the Iranian people.”

He noted that Razini and Moghiseh had long been targets of “hatred and malice” from enemies of the state.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had previously visited Razini in hospital following an attempted assassination in 1998.

Spotlight on the Victims

Ali Razini, 71, survived a prior attack during his tenure as head of Tehran’s judiciary. Mohammad Moghiseh, 68, faced international scrutiny, with the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioning him in 2019 for allegedly overseeing unfair trials and disregarding evidence.

Iran’s History of High-Profile Attacks

Though attacks against judges are rare in Iran, recent years have seen a rise in targeted shootings of prominent figures. This latest incident underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding the judiciary’s role in combating terrorism and national security threats.