TEHRAN -- The spokesman for Iran’s Judiciary says several individuals have been identified in the case of the assassination of Colonel Hassan Sayyad Khodaei, a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) who was martyred in a terrorist attack in the Iranian capital of Tehran in May.
Masoud Setayeshi made the announcement in a news briefing here where he outlined the latest status of the ongoing investigation into the case.
Setayeshi said the investigation is at a “preliminary stage” but has proceeded well.
He said such acts of assassination were often carried out by a network of operatives and required serious investigatory work.
“Several people have been identified in connection with the issue and a legal order has been issued, too,” the spokesman said, without providing further details. He said the information obtained in the case was classified.
The attack on Colonel Sayyad Khodaei took place in Tehran on May 22 when assailants riding motorcycles shot him five times while he was in his car. The assailants fled the scene. Three bullets hit Sayyad Khodaei in the head and two bullets in the hand.
The New York Times on May 25 cited a U.S. intelligence official as saying that the occupying regime of Israel had informed American officials that it had been behind the assassination.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said at the time that “the global arrogance” was behind the terrorist act, vowing “definite revenge.”
IRGC Chief Commander Major General Hussein Salami also warned that Iran would take a “harsh” revenge.