Tehran Supreme Court judges assassinated in a shocking courtroom attack, sparking fears of political retaliation.
Tehran, Iran – January 18, 2025 – In a shocking attack inside a Tehran courtroom, two senior Iranian Supreme Court judges, Mohammad Moghiseh and Ali Razini, were fatally shot in what officials are calling a “targeted assassination.”
The assailant, who had no apparent legal grievances, opened fire before attempting to escape but ultimately took his own life. A security officer was also wounded in the attack.
The judiciary confirmed the deaths and launched an investigation, but authorities have yet to establish a clear motive. “This was a meticulously planned act,” an Iranian judicial official stated, emphasizing that the assailant was neither a litigant nor involved in any ongoing cases.
Judges With a Controversial Legacy
Mohammad Moghiseh, a high-profile judge sanctioned by the U.S. in 2019 and the European Union in 2011, was notorious for imposing harsh sentences on dissidents, activists, and artists.
He once sentenced eight Facebook users to a combined 127 years in prison and handed down a 33-year sentence and 148 lashes to prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh in 2019.
Ali Razini, a judicial veteran, previously survived an assassination attempt in 1999. His name has been linked to Iran’s infamous 1988 “Death Commission”, which allegedly presided over mass executions of political prisoners.
While no group has claimed responsibility, security forces are intensifying efforts to uncover any organizational links behind the attack.
Ongoing Investigation and Security Implications
Iranian authorities have deployed additional security personnel to key judicial buildings as concerns mount over the possibility of further targeted killings. Judiciary officials assured the public that the perpetrators “will be identified and held accountable.”
Political analysts speculate that the attack could be linked to long-standing grievances against Iran’s judicial system, particularly from dissidents and opposition groups. Others suggest that internal power struggles within the Iranian establishment may have played a role.
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The assassination of two high-ranking judges marks one of the most brazen attacks on Iran’s judiciary in recent years. As authorities continue their investigation, questions linger over who orchestrated the attack—and why.
