Judge Stabbed to Death in Southern Iran

A senior judicial official was killed in a knife attack in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz early Tuesday, according to reports from state media. The victim, identified as 38-year-old Ehsum Bagheri, was on his way to work when the fatal assault occurred. Authorities are treating the incident as a terrorist act, and two suspects remain at large.

Bagheri was a member of Shiraz’s judiciary and had previously served in the city’s revolutionary court, a branch of the legal system tasked with handling cases involving national security and narcotics offenses. His past role may have placed him at higher risk, though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

The official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that Bagheri was attacked by two unidentified individuals who fled the scene and have not yet been apprehended. Security forces have launched a search operation in and around the area in an effort to locate the suspects.

Tuesday’s killing is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting members of Iran’s judiciary. In a separate case earlier this year, two well-known hardline judges in Tehran were shot dead. Both had reportedly played roles in the execution of political prisoners during the 1980s, a period marked by widespread crackdowns on dissent. The January shootings raised alarms about growing threats against judicial figures in Iran.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the motive behind Bagheri’s killing, and it remains unclear whether his death is connected to any specific court case or broader political developments. The judiciary and security agencies have not commented publicly beyond confirming the victim’s identity and ongoing search efforts.

The incident underscores persistent security challenges within Iran, particularly when it comes to protecting state officials and judicial personnel. Bagheri’s killing has prompted increased police presence in Shiraz, and the investigation continues. Further updates are expected as authorities gather more information about the assailants and their potential affiliations.