The public relations division of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Sunday that an officer from the IRGC was shot dead by unknown assailants in Tehran.
Close to the Iranian parliament complex in eastern Tehran, Colonel Sayyad Khodayari was attacked by two motorcycle-borne assailants in his car outside his home.
Adding that he was hit with at least five bullets in the neck and arms, state media said that the incident took place at around 16:00 local time on Sunday.
The division expressed that the assailants were being pursued by intelligence and security agencies.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The slain officer was reportedly associated with IRGC’s Quds Force and had spent years in Syria.
In an indirect reference to Israel, the IRGC in a statement said that the attack was carried out by “counter-revolutionary forces and elements related to global arrogance.”
Even though Tel Aviv has never officially claimed responsibility, Iran has blamed Israel for the assassination of several top military officials and scientists in recent years.
The IRGC announced the arrest of a “network of thugs,” which it said was guided by Israeli spy agency and intended to carry out kidnappings, soon after the attack.
