Spanish Police Investigate Possible Role of the Islamic Republic in Assassination Attempt on Former Spanish Politician

Spanish police say they are investigating hypotheses regarding the motive behind the assassination attempt on Alejandro Vidal Cuadras, a veteran Spanish politician, including his connections with opponents of the Islamic Republic. According to the Associated Press, this former member of the European Parliament, who is on the Iranian government's sanctions list, was shot by a motorcycle assailant in Madrid on Thursday, November 9, injuring his jaw. Cuadras is currently hospitalized and recovering. Cuadras, who is the founder of the right-wing Vox party, recently criticized European leaders and officials for their lack of support for the opposition group, the People's Mujahedin of Iran, during a meeting in Brussels, Belgium. Earlier this year, the Iranian Foreign Ministry sanctioned several individuals close to the People's Mujahedin, including Alejandro Vidal Cuadras, accusing them of 'supporting terrorism and terrorist groups.' Iranian state media had previously quoted the Spanish newspaper El País, accusing the Vox party, led at the time by Alejandro Vidal Cuadras, of receiving 'terrorist money' from the People's Mujahedin. Maryam Rajavi, the leader of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, reacted to the shooting of this Spanish political figure by stating on X (formerly Twitter) that the primary suspect in this 'terrorist crime' is the 'religious fascism ruling Iran' and called for the 'prosecution and punishment of the perpetrators and instigators.' The Spanish police announced that they would investigate all aspects of this case, including the former politician's connections with the People's Mujahedin, the opposition group to the Islamic Republic. Following the expansion of the investigation, the unit responsible for terrorism and extremism cases in Spain has also joined the police investigation team. Currently, no suspects have been arrested, and police are reviewing surveillance footage and recording witness statements to identify the assailant. According to reports, the assailant, who wore a black helmet, fled the scene after shooting Alejandro Vidal Cuadras, who was on a motorcycle driven by an accomplice. Hospital officials announced that the 78-year-old politician's condition is stable, but his jawbone has been damaged and requires surgery. Alejandro Vidal Cuadras, a co-founder of the right-wing Vox party, left the party nine years ago after failing to secure a seat in the European Parliament in 2014, but he continues to analyze political affairs in the media of this country.