Iranian opposition launches missile attack one day after assassination attempt

NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iranian opposition guerrillas fired mortars and damaged a building in Teheran occupied by military commanders.

Iranian state television said the missile attack injured two residents of an apartment tower near the headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards. Rescue workers were looking for survivors in the rubble.

The attack came one day after a key ally of President Mohammed Khatami remains in a coma after he was shot twice by assassins on a government-issued motorcycle. Said Khajarian was reported in critical condition.

Monday's attack on a building in Teheran was the latest in a series of attacks on the Iranian regime. The Iraqi-based Mujahadeen Khalq took responsibility for the attack and said its target was Revolutionary Guards chief Maj. Gen. Rahim Safavi.

The opposition group said it struck the base of the guards. But witnesses said the mortars missed by about 100 yards and struck an apartment complex where the families of military personnel and war widows live.

Last month, the organization took responsibility for another missile attack on the offices of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

The Iranian Participation Front, the political list to which Khajarian belongs, said in statement that the bullet struck his brain. The communique said Khajarian's life does not seem to be in immediate danger. But the party said doctors cannot operate to remove the bullet because of his weak condition.

On late Sunday, Iranian Cabinet ministers condemned the attack and called on authorities to find the assassins. Law enforcement sources said they have are looking for several suspects.

"Today a criminal hand is at work and displayed its ugly face by gunning down a dear human being," Khatami said. "Today the representative of Teheran people to the city council was shot and critically wounded. the enemies of freedom and pride of the nation think that with assassination of a faithful, thinker and servant of the people and the Islamic revolution they would reach their goals."

Officials said Khajarian, a city council member and editor of a gadfly daily, was shot by a gunman with a silencer early Sunday at the entrance of the municipal building. The assailant fled in a motorcycle.