Imam Reza shrine stabbings

On 5 April 2022, Abdullatif Moradi reportedly entered the shrine and approached three clerics at 14:16 p.m.,[2] stabbing one, who was later identified as Mohammad Aslani, about 20 times, who died almost instantly after being stabbed, the two others were hospitalized in stable condition.[3][4][5][6] A second cleric identified as Sadegh Daraee had died of his injuries in Kamiab hospital of Mashhad.[7][8]

Six other people, two of whom were Moradi's brothers, were also arrested by security forces after the attack. Video of the aftermath of the incident showed Shia pilgrims holding Moradi down and handing him over to authorities.[3] Two clergymen were seen splayed on the gray marbled floor of the shrine, covered in blood, in footage shared on social media.[5]

The attack took place on the third day of the Ramadan,[9] a holy month that attracts Muslim worshippers to communal prayers at mosques from across country.[5]

The attacker was Abdullatif Moradi, a 21-year-old Uzbek who illegally crossed into to Iran in 2021 from the Iran–Pakistan border, and has been living around Mashhad. Moradi was identified as a "Takfiri who viewed Shia Muslims as heretics and believed their blood should be spilled".[3] Abdullatif Moradi and his brother worked in a transport company in Mashhad. He lived in Mehrabad district of Mashhad and was reportedly active in social networks under the names of "Abdullatif al-Salafi", "Hassan Moradi" and "Abulaqib al-Mowahid", criticizing Shia Muslims and promoting Takfiri thoughts.[2]

Funeral of Mohammad Aslani

The funeral of Mohammad Aslani was held in Mashhad. The participants marched from Shohada Square to the Imam Reza Shrine. The people participating the funeral shouted "Hossein, Hossein is our slogan", "Labayk ya Imam Reza" and "Death to America".[10] Afghan immigrants also took part in the funeral. Aslani was buried in Imam Reza shrine, besides the victims of 1994 Ashura bombing incident in Imam Reza shrine.[11]

The funeral for the second victim, Sadegh Daraee, was also held in Mashhad. He was buried near Mohammad Aslani.[7]

• Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, condemned the attack and ordered Iran's intelligence ministry to investigate the incident.[12] Sunni scholars from across Iran also condemned the attack.[13]
• Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the attack. "This has nothing to do with the Afghans and Afghanistan," he said.[14]
• Jamiat-e Islami condemned the attack, stating that the "tragic event" was because of the "deviant ideas of Takfiri currents."[15]

• Imam Reza shrine bombing