Iranian Imam Shot Dead in Kazeroun Attack in Third Such Killing Since 1979

Kazeroun, Iran

On May 11, 2023, an Iranian Imam was shot and killed in the city of Kazeroun. The Imam, identified as Ayatollah Seyyed Abdollah Latifi, was attacked while leaving a mosque after leading evening prayers.

According to local authorities, Latifi was shot multiple times by an unknown assailant. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but died from his injuries shortly after arriving.

Third Killing of an Imam Since 1979

This attack marks the third time an Imam has been killed in Iran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. In 1981, Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti, the head of the Iranian Judiciary, was assassinated in a bombing attack in Tehran.

In 1997, Ayatollah Morteza Motahari, a prominent Iranian philosopher and theologian, was assassinated in Tehran. The assassin was never identified.

Motive for Attack Unknown

The motive for the attack on Latifi is unknown. However, it is believed that the attack may have been motivated by sectarian violence.

Latifi was a prominent member of the Sunni Muslim community in Iran. Sunnis are a minority group in Iran, which is predominantly Shia Muslim.

In recent years, there have been tensions between the Sunni and Shia communities in Iran. These tensions have been fueled by the rise of extremist groups in the region.

Government Investigation Launched

The Iranian government has launched an investigation into the attack on Latifi. The government has vowed to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.

The attack on Latifi has been condemned by religious leaders and government officials from around the world. The United Nations has called for a full investigation into the attack.