At least four people, including the assailant, were killed and seven others injured on Wednesday (May 18th) in a hostage situation at the headquarters of a state-linked foundation in western Iran, it said. official sources.
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"
A 37-year-old man, a member of the Foundation for the Disenfranchised in the city of Ilam, entered a room with a Kalashnikov and two grenades
," the province's police chief told state television. General Delavar Alqassi-Mehr.
The assailant "
took staff members hostage, started firing and detonated a grenade, killing three people, including two women, and injuring seven
", he added.
The toll could increase, four of the injured being in "
critical condition
", said Delavar Alghassi-Mehr.
The attacker had "
personal motives
" and committed suicide on the spot, the official Irna agency said.
The agency released a video showing several police officers and armed men in civilian clothes as well as members of the Iranian Red Crescent outside the building.
The incident happened around 9:00 a.m. (04:30 GMT) at the headquarters of the Foundation for the Destitute, one of Iran's most powerful charities.
Over the years, the Foundation for the Disinherited has evolved into a gigantic conglomerate with stakes in many key sectors of the Iranian economy, including oil and mining.