Iran: 15 killed, 40 wounded from attack on Shiraz shrine

Iranian state media reported that an attack happened at a religious shrine in the southern city of Shiraz. 15 were killed, and 40 others were injured from the attack carried out by three suspects.

Iranian state media outlet IRNA reported that an attack occurred at the Shah Cheragh Shrine in Shiraz Wednesday evening. Three armed men entered the shrine, killing 15 people and injuring 40 others. Two of the gunmen were apprehended by the authorities, with the third still at large.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a post shared on the Telegram messaging platform.

Another Iranian-state media outlet, Nour News, reported that the gunmen were not Iranian nationals. Fars News Agency reported that a woman and two children were among those who were killed.

University of Tehran Faculty of World Studies associate professor Fouad Izadi said the aim of the attack was to target worshippers. Izadi said that the attack was the “trademark” move by the militant group.

The latest attack in Iran comes amidst ongoing anti-government protests in the country. Demonstrators took to the streets for more than a month following the death of Kurdish Iranian Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police. Amini died three days after she was arrested and detained back in September for “improper attire,” sparking public outrage and international condemnation of Tehran, which has sought to blame foreign governments for the unrest.

The attack took place on the same day thousands of people marked 40 days since Amini’s death, gathering in her hometown to mark the milestone.

Iranian security forces also clashed with people taking part in the memorial, according to the ISNA news outlet.

“A limited number of those present at Mahsa Amini’s memorial clashed with police forces on the outskirts of Saqqez and were dispersed,” said ISNA. “Following the clashes, internet in Saqqez was cut off due to security considerations.”

Videos of the memorial circulated around social media, showing large crowds gathering and driving to the Aychi cemetery, where Amini is buried. Many of those gathering at the cemetery for the memorial were chanting, “Woman, life, freedom,” as well as “Freedom, freedom” slogans that were widely used in the protests.