Armed Attacker Strikes at Iranian Consular Office in Washington

Reports indicate that an armed individual entered the consular services office of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Washington on Wednesday morning, May 5, with the intention of causing disruption, and was subsequently arrested by police. The state news agency IRNA reported, citing eyewitnesses, that the assailant entered the building around 10:30 AM local time and attacked one of the staff members while shouting slogans against the Islamic Republic. The attacked individual has been transferred to the hospital. Following this incident, the Iranian consular office has been closed, and police are present at the site conducting an investigation, with surrounding streets also blocked off. The Iranian consular office in Washington only provides consular services related to visas and passports. The local news section of the Washington Post also referenced the incident of an attacker at a consular office in northwest Washington but did not name the Iranian consular office. According to the Washington Post's report, citing a statement from the Secret Service, they responded quickly to the attack report received at 10:30 AM local time. The Secret Service stated that no shots were fired during the attack, but one armed individual was arrested. The report also mentioned that surrounding streets were blocked for two hours. The Washington Post noted that besides the Iranian consular office, there are also consular offices for Mexico and Pakistan in the area. The newspaper contacted the Mexican embassy to verify the news, which stated that no attack had occurred at their consular office. The Washington Post mentioned that officials from Iran and Pakistan were not available for confirmation. The U.S. Secret Service stated in its announcement to the Washington Post that more details about the assailant would be released in the coming hours.