Incident Summary:

06/02/1998: A bomb exploded at the Islamic Revolutionary Court in northern Tehran, Iran. Three people were killed, six injured, and the explosion destroyed the entrance of the building and smashed windows. According to witnesses, a woman left a bag inside the court building and left shortly before the explosion. Members of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq later claimed credit for the attack, stating that it was "expanding operations against the clerical regime" and retaliating "for the slaying of eight members of the group in a clash with Iranian security forces in November 1997." In addition to this attack the group also attacked a public administrative building and attempted to attack the headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards.

GTD ID:
199806020002

When:
1998-06-02

Country:
Iran

Region:
Middle East & North Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Tehran

City:
Tehran

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Bombing/Explosion
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Government (General)
Name of Entity Islamic Revolutionary Court
Specific Description Islamic Revolutionary Court in northern Tehran
Nationality of Target Iran
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Unknown Explosive Type
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?Yes
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information This is one of three related attacks (cf. 199806020001-03). The violence erupted two days before Iran prepared to mark the ninth anniversary of the death of the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. It also came amid deep political divisions not seen since the revolution pitting conservative factions against moderate reformers who support President Mohammad Khatami.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Unknown)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 3 Fatalities / 6 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 3
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 6
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
“Explosion damages public building in Tehran,” Agence France Presse, June 3, 1998.
“Iranian Leaders Warn of Counter-revolution After Series of Blasts,” Agence France Presse, June 3, 1998.