Iran executes gunman convicted of deadly attack on Azerbaijani embassy

Iran has executed a man convicted of carrying out a 2023 gun attack on Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran that killed a security officer and wounded two others, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

Yasin Hoseynzadeh, who was sentenced to death on January 28, 2024, was executed at 05:00 local time (01:30 GMT) on May 21, according to the ministry. Two Azerbaijani embassy staff and a lawyer appointed by Baku witnessed the execution.

“The severe punishment of the perpetrator was among Azerbaijan’s primary expectations from Iran,” ministry spokesperson Ayxan Haji-zadeh said. “Under the Vienna Convention, the host country must ensure the security of diplomatic missions and prevent such acts.”

Haji-zadeh said Azerbaijan supports continued efforts to improve relations with Iran on the basis of mutual respect and good neighbourliness.