Iran called for a speedy probe into a “suspicious” attempt to launch a knife attack on the residence of Tehran’s ambassador in Vienna, saying the motive behind the incident remains unknown.
“The assailant is about 26 years old and apparently holds Austrian nationality, and there’s no information on his identity and motivation for the act,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Monday, Press TV reported.
Austrian media said the knife attacker was killed by police Sunday night outside the residence in Vienna’s Hietzing district as he tried to get past a security guard and enter the building.
Austrian police spokesman Harald Moeser said the assailant “died on the spot” after the guard shot him four times, after pepper spray failed to stop him.
Qasemi added that Iranian authorities in Tehran and Vienna remain in contact with Austrian officials for more details on the incident.
“We hope Austrian police and government security authorities can reach the essential results in the investigation they have launched since last night and we can get a more precise report about the motivation and identity of the individual.”
