Gunman Kills Two Judges Before Taking Own Life

Two senior Iranian judges were killed in a shooting attack on Saturday at the Supreme Court building in Tehran, Iranian state media reported.

According to the judiciary’s Mizan Online website, the gunman infiltrated the court in what was described as a “planned act of assassination.”

The two judges, Ali Razini and Mohammad Moghisseh, were identified as handling cases involving “crimes against national security, espionage, and terrorism.”

The assailant, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly “killed himself” following the attack. One other person sustained injuries during the incident.

Judiciary spokesperson, Asghar Jahangir provided details of the attack, saying, “A person armed with a handgun entered the room of the two judges and shot them.”

Authorities said investigations are ongoing, with individuals already identified, summoned, or arrested in connection with the incident.

However, the motive behind the attack remains unclear. Officials noted that the assailant had no known involvement in any Supreme Court cases.

The slain judges were described as experienced figures in Iran’s judiciary. Mohammad Moghisseh, 68, was sanctioned by the United States in 2019 for conducting trials deemed unfair by the US Treasury.

Ali Razini, 71, was a seasoned judge who had previously survived a 1998 assassination attempt involving a magnetic bomb planted on his vehicle.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed condolences over the killings and urged authorities to act decisively.

“I strongly urge the security and law enforcement forces to take the necessary measures as soon as possible by examining the dimensions and angles of this reprehensible act and to identify its perpetrators,” Pezeshkian said.

Although attacks targeting judges are rare in Iran, the country has witnessed a spate of shootings involving prominent individuals.

In October, a Shiite preacher was killed in Kazerun after leading Friday prayers. In April 2023, powerful cleric Abbas Ali Soleimani was shot dead in a northern Iranian bank.

Additionally, in August 2005, renowned judge Hassan Moghaddas was murdered in Tehran, with two men convicted of the crime later publicly hanged.