Global condemnation pours in over deadly terror attacks in Tehran

The international community has strongly condemned twin terrorist attacks carried out by Daesh terrorists against the Iranian Majlis (parliament) building and the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Seyyed Rouhollah Khomeini, which killed over a dozen civilians and wounded many more.

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the Iranian authorities and nation over the attacks, stressing that she will communicate with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif over the latest related development.

“Let me start with a world of condolences to the victims of the attacks we saw in Tehran. In these hours, we are following very closely what is happening. It is still very unclear... This is obviously a very sad day again for us anytime there is a terrorist attack anywhere in the world,” she told reporters in Brussels on Wednesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a message addressed to his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, expressed condolences to the Iranian nation and government over the terrorist attacks in the Iranian capital, and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured.

He said such assaults necessitate the need for the expansion of international cooperation to fight terrorism.

Moscow strongly condemns the attacks, and is prepared to cooperate with Tehran in the fight against terror, the Russian leader pointed out.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (seen below) also stated that terrorist attacks on the Iranian parliament and the Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum in Tehran show terrorists continue their acts without respite.

Russia is ready to take all necessary measures to contain terrorists, he said in a joint press conference with his Spanish counterpart Alfonso Dastis. 

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denounced the acts of terror, calling for the expansion of the joint fight against terrorism.

“The ongoing terrorist attacks emphasize the need to join our efforts in the fight against terrorism, particularly against the Daesh terror group,” he told reporters in Moscow on Wednesday.

‘Attacks to bolster Iran’s resolve against terrorism’

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in separate messages to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani and Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, slammed the attacks, stating that Iran will remain at the forefront of the campaign against terrorism.

“Such terrorist attacks will bolster the Islamic Republic’s resolve and determination to uproot terrorism. Iran will remain the flag-bearer of the fight against terrorist bids and sponsors of terrorist plots,” Berri wrote in his message to Ayatollah Khamenei.

“These criminal acts will further strengthen your country’s resolve to defeat terrorists and fully uproot them. They will increase your (Iran’s) role in the war against terrorism,” the read Lebanese diplomat’s message to Rohani.

Additionally, the United Arab Emirates condemned Wednesday's twin attacks in the Iranian capital.

“Our position on terrorism is very clear... Any terrorist attack in any country, in any capital, directed at innocent people is something that the UAE abhors and the UAE condemns,” Emirati State Minister for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash commented.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria denounced the terrorist attacks, stating that Islamabad stands in solidarity with the people of Iran in their hour of grief.

He also expressed condolences to the Iranian nation, government and the bereaved families, and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured.

Zakaria said terrorism is a global phenomenon requiring a resolute and coordinated approach to eradicate.

Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni also slammed the Tehran terrorist attacks, stressing the need for a long-term strategy in the fight against terrorism.

“Terrorism targets anywhere in the world, and this time it struck a sensitive region like Iran. Italy guarantees its supports by presence in all areas of conflict,” Gentiloni told reporters in a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian in Rome.

Nalbandian also strongly condemned the attacks.

“We strictly condemn the attacks carried out on Iran’s parliament and Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum. We express solidarity to the people of Iran,” he said.

Furthermore, France's Foreign Ministry denounced the fatal attacks in the Iranian capital.

“We strongly condemn the attacks that targeted the Iranian parliament and the Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum in Tehran,” the ministry said in a statement.

It said its embassy in the Islamic Republic was monitoring the situation and passed on its condolences to the families of the victims.

'Terrorists hell-bent on destroying region'

Moreover, Iraqi President Fuad Masum and First Deputy Parliament Speaker Sheikh Humam Hamoudi censured the deadly terrorist attacks in Tehran.

“It is obvious that some parties are seeking to drag the Middle East region into fire and a major war, and plunge regional nations into turmoil. These parties are hell-bent to prolong conflicts, mass murders and destruction in the region,” Hamoudi said in a statement.

He also called for collective and effective measures against terrorist threats, emphasizing that the failure to do so will burn regional states in the fire of terrorism.

Hamoudi also expressed condolences to the Iranian nation and government over the terrorist attacks in the Iranian capital, and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured.

Furthermore, the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the terror attacks, extending its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Iranian government and people.

The ministry stressed in a statement that such “heinous” terrorist attacks will not deal a blow to Iran’s and Syria’s determination to continue the fight against terror.

The statement noted that funneling money and munitions to terrorist groups together with the spread of the extremist Wahhabi ideology will drag the Middle East and the entire world into instability.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and government spokesman Numan Kurtulmus also condemned the attacks carried out on Iran’s parliament and Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum.

He said the attacks proved that a watchful eye must be kept on possible terrorist moves in brotherly neighboring countries. “Terrorism knows no religion, method, race and sect, and is a besetting sin whoever the perpetrator is,” Kurtulmus (pictured below) added.

Separately, the Turkish Foreign Ministry and Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin slammed the assaults.

India on Wednesday condemned the terror attacks in Tehran that claimed a dozen lives, and expressed solidarity with the Iranian people.

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj “condemned today's terrorist attacks on institutions of democracy and spirituality in Tehran” during a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Indian ministry said in a statement.

“She offered sincere condolences on the loss of innocent lives and expressed solidarity with the people and the government of Iran,” the statement said.

The Omani Foreign Ministry also censured the terrorist attacks in the Iranian capital, voicing Muscat’s strong opposition to acts of terror and violence, which are meant to create insecurity and instability, shed the blood of innocent people and grip ordinary people by fear.

In addition, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev extended his condolences to the Iranian nation and government over the deadly terrorist attacks, noting that the bloody incidents show that terrorism has turned out to be a growing menace for the entire world, and all its forms must be collectively and persistently addressed.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Head of the High Peace Council Mohammad Karim Khalili and former president Hamid Karzai also expressed their deep grief over the deadly attacks, commiserating with the families of the victims.

Moreover, the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement strongly condemned the two terrorist attacks, stressing that they were meant to target Iran’s security and its support for the anti-Israel resistance front.

The latest crime in Tehran is the outcome of a destructive plan drawn up by recognized sponsors of terror in the region. It is highly expected that regional and international tensions, which have lately affected the Middle East, will spiral in the future, Hezbollah said in a statement.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel condemned in strongest terms the killing of innocent people in Tehran’s attacks, and extended his country’s condolences to the families of the victims.

Gaza-based Palestinian resistance movement Islamic Jihad, in a press statement, slammed the terrorist attacks, saying the criminal acts sought to target the Islamic Republic of Iran’s role in supporting the anti-Israel resistance front and fight against terrorism.

The movement also offered its condolences and expressed solidarity with the Iranian leadership, government and people.

UNSC condemns ‘barbaric terrorist attacks’

The UN Security Council condemned "the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attacks" in Tehran in the strongest terms and called for the organizers, perpetrators and financiers to be brought to justice.

The statement by the 15-member council, drafted by Japan on behalf of countries in the Asia-Pacific region, denounced the "reprehensible acts of terrorism" in the Iranian capital.

The Security Council also observed a minute’s silence on Wednesday in tribute to the victims of the deadly Daesh attacks in the Iranian capital. 

UN Secretary General António Guterres also offered condolences to the Iranian nation and government over the deadly attacks in Tehran.

During a phone conversation with Iran’s Ambassador to the UN Gholam-Ali Khoshroo, the UN chief said fighting the menace of terrorism requires global cooperation, and the UN supports the Iranian nation to this end.

Bolivian President Evo Morales expressed his country’s solidarity with Iran over the attacks on the parliament and mausoleum of Imam Khomeini.

“We condemn the violence that threatens life,” he tweeted on Wednesday.

Greek Foreign Ministry also flatly denounced terror attacks in the Iranian capital.

“Athens condemns any act of terror carried out under any excuse. Concrete and practical measures must be adopted in order to tackle the menace of terrorism,” the ministry said in a statement.

The statement further noted that the Greek government and nation stand in solidarity with the government and people of Iran at this sensitive time.

Furthermore, Bahrain’s opposition February 14 Revolution Youth Coalition and the Islamic Action Society deplored Iran’s terrorist attacks, describing them as desperate attempts to break the nation’s will for the establishment of justice in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the United States censured the twin terror attacks in the Iranian capital.

“The United States condemns the terrorist attacks in Tehran today. We express our condolences to the victims and their families, and send our thoughts and prayers to the people of Iran. The depravity of terrorism has no place in a peaceful, civilized world,” State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement.

Separately, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has denounced the attacks in Tehran, calling for collective efforts in the fight against terrorism.

“Our sympathies are with the people of Iran following the despicable terrorist attack. It is time for the world to unite against this scourge,” Johnson wrote in a post published on his Twitter account.

Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz was also among senior diplomats condemning the terrorist attacks in the Iranian capital.

“I condemn today’s attacks in Tehran and express my condolences to the families and friends of the victims,” he tweeted.

Moreover, Algeria condemned the attacks targeting the Iranian parliament building and the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini in Tehran, terming them “criminal acts.”

“Targeting human lives in this holy month reaffirms the disrespect of the perpetrators of these abhorrent crimes for all religious, moral and humanitarian values. These attacks will not discourage the international community from working and coordinating together in order to confront terrorists and their destructive plans,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Aziz bin Ali al-Sharif said in a statement.

He added, “We express our solidarity with the government and people of Iran and renew our condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, whatever the motives could be. Such moves pose threats to the harmony of societies in addition to the security and stability of nations.”

Georgia, the Republic of Ireland, Lithuania, Qatar, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Jordan and Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government were also among the countries that condemned the attacks.

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