Iranian deputy minister shot dead in Tehran

Police say gunman fired rounds at Safdar Rahmat Abadi’s head and chest from inside the parliamentarian’s personal vehicle

An Iranian deputy minister was assassinated by an unknown gunman in eastern Tehran, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported Sunday.

Safdar Rahmat Abadi, Iran’s deputy industries minister, was reportedly shot in his head and chest while sitting in his personal vehicle on the capital’s Golbarg Street.

Police officers at the site claimed Abadi had been talking to the gunmen prior to his assassination, and that the bullets were most likely fired from inside the vehicle, the report said.

“That two shells were found inside the car shows a strong likelihood that the assailant was inside the car and in conversation with Mr. Abadi. There was no sign of struggle at the scene of the killing,” Reuters quoted a Tehran police officer as saying.

The motive behind the attack has yet to be determined and police have launched an investigation into the shooting.