Certain Western states seek to incite chaos, insecurity in Iran: FM Amir-Abdollahian
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says some Western states seek to create chaos and insecurity in the country as a terrorist attack has been carried out in a holy shrine in the city of Shiraz.
In a phone call with Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry on Friday, Amir-Abdollahian lashed out at some Western states for instigating acts of terror and violence in Iran and their support for negative media atmosphere against the country.
"In the Islamic Republic of Iran, we have democracy and respect for human dignity is one of the important principles of the Islamic Republic. But unfortunately, some Western countries seek to create riots and insecurity in Iran, and in this regard, we witnessed a terrorist act in a holy religious place two days ago," he said.
He said the Sri Lankan government and nation have in the past suffered from terrorist attacks and are well aware of the consequences of such crimes and human sufferings of the Iranian people, particularly the bereaved.
Fifteen pilgrims, including a woman and two children, lost their lives and at least 40 others were wounded after a heavily-armed terrorist attacked the popular Shah Cheragh shrine in Iran’s city of Shiraz, in Fars Province, on Wednesday just before the evening prayers.
The police commander of Fars Province said the attacker opened indiscriminate fire at pilgrims inside the shrine and was himself wounded and arrested by security officials.
Nour News, which is affiliated with Iran’s top security body, said the terrorist who carried out the attack was a foreign national. The Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility shortly after the attack.
CCTV footage released by local authorities showed the terrorist making his way inside the shrine after hiding an assault rifle in a bag and opening fire at worshipers who tried to flee and hide in corridors.
In a message on Thursday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the perpetrators of the “outrageous” crime will definitely face punishment.
Elsewhere in the phone call with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran supports further expansion of ties with Colombo in all fields.
The Sri Lankan foreign minister, for his part, extended sympathy of his country's government and nation to Iran over the terrorist attack in Shiraz.
He expressed hope he would travel to Tehran to discuss ways to improve relations as soon as possible.
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