Zaynab, 28, murdered at her workplace in Tehran

Zaynab
Age: 28
Shot dead: 10 October 2026
Place of residence: Tehran
Origin: Iran
Perpetrator: her ex-husband, Mohammad Reza (30)

Zaynab was 28 years old and worked at a company in Saadi Passage, Tehran. On the morning of 18 Mehr 1405 (10 October 2026), her former partner, 30-year-old Mohammad Reza, came to her workplace. They had been in a relationship for about a year, but had broken up shortly beforehand.

After an argument, Zaynab called her manager’s sister. She told her that Mohammad Reza was there and that an argument had broken out. Before the manager arrived, Zaynab was shot dead. Mohammad Reza then shot himself in the head and also died.

A pistol, two sticks and ten bullets were found at the scene of the shooting. The police are investigating the circumstances and the motive.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.