Iran: Over 100 Killed As Fierce Fighting Erupts Near Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Home In Tehran

Tehran: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed to have killed 100 Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK) fighters. The Mujahideen-e-Khalq is an Iranian opposition group currently active against the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The clash between the IRGC and Mujahideen-e-Khalq troops, loyal to Ali Khamenei, occurred when the Shia-Marxist group attempted to conduct an operation near the Tehran headquarters of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

What did the Iran media say?

Iran's state-run media agency, Tasnim News Agency, and the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Akhbar also confirmed the clash and the death toll. The group said that by Monday night, more than 150 other MEK insurgents had safely returned to their base. The group said it would provide the names of the killed and injured fighters to the International Human Rights Organization. The Jerusalem Post published a report on the fighting.

The fighting between the IRGC and the Mujahideen-e-Khalq took place near the Motahari Complex. Iran's Motahari Complex is a highly guarded government complex in Tehran. It houses the headquarters of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The complex houses Khamenei's headquarters, the Guardian Council, the Assembly of Experts, the Intelligence Minister's office, the Judiciary Central Office, the Supreme National Security Council, and the office and residence of Khamenei's son, Mojtaba.

What has the Mujahideen-e-Khalq claimed?

The MEK claims that the majority of the dead were government supporters. However, no concrete figures are available. The organization said that a heavy flow of ambulances was seen in the compound throughout Monday following the clashes.

While the MEK is calling the attack a success, it is blaming the Iranian government for a failure. According to the MEK, "More than 100 Mujahideen were martyred or taken into custody in several clashes with government forces from Monday morning to afternoon." The clashes began in Khamenei's office during morning prayers.

Later on Tuesday, the group announced that it had shared the names of 16 of its members detained during the clashes with the UN Special Rapporteur and was investigating the identities of other detainees and victims.

'Dangerous and Difficult Operation'

Al-Akhbar confirmed the clashes and described it as one of the most dangerous and difficult operations carried out by the MEK in Iran. The group claims that the operation was directly supported by foreign intelligence agencies.

Al-Akhbar's report stated that the plan involved the MEK infiltrating the Motahari Complex, but it was foiled at the initial stage.

Iran's state-run agency Tasnim said in its report, "The MEK has not noticed that Trump is trying to take advantage of other countries."

The MEK was declared a terror group during the last years of the Pahlavi dynasty. Ali Khamenei's government considers it a terror group.