Iran News Round Up

The IRGC issued a statement: “The public opinion of the world and in particular, the nation of Iran, recognize this act of terrorism, which [happened] one week after the joint meeting of the U.S. president with one of the reactionary leaders of region who is a continuous supporter of takfiri terrorism, as very meaningful...The IRGC has proven that they will not leave any spilt innocent blood without retaliation… the nation of Iran assures [that] it will not hesitate for a moment to safeguard national security and preserve the lives of [its] dear people.” (IRNA)

• IRGC Intelligence Organization Deputy Brig. Gen.  Mohammad-Hossein Nejat criticized the two attacks while noting that both occurred “one week after the joint meeting of the U.S. and one of the reactionary leaders of of the region.” Nejat further blamed “the U.S. and the Saudi regime” for “giving orders to their mercenaries who played a hand in this event.” Finally, Nejat emphasized that the IRGC “was able to kill the terrorists” but would also “have revenge on both them and those who had ordered them.” (Fars News Agency)
• IRGC Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Hossein Salami promised that “without a doubt, we will have revenge against the terrorists, collaborators, and their protectors for the blood of the of martyrs of today’s terrorist attack.” (Tasnim News Agency)
• Former IRGC Commander and Expediency Discernment Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei wrote that while the terrorists “were successful in most of their attacks” in Europe and the Middle East, they had tried to “infiltrate Iran several times but were arrested each time.” Further, he warned that “With their act today, we will severely punish them in every place that they are.” (Instagram)

The Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani gave a speech stating “this action is a minor issue but it shows the terrorists are looking to create a problem, especially in Iran which is an active and effective hub in the fight against terrorists.” He highlighted that “absolutely the security forces will have serious conflict with them.” Shortly after his speech regarding the terrorist attacks, members of parliament began to chant “Death to America.” (Tasnim News Agency) (ISNA)

• Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also condemned the terrorist attack and advocated the problem of terrorism “be confronted” in the “Middle East and the world.” (Tabnak)
• Hamid Aboutalebi, Political Deputy of the Office of President Hassan Rouhani, stated,  “It must be shown that terrorism is condemned and [that] they don’t distinguish [between] Tehran and Paris and London or East and West and for combating against it, we must move more firmly, more steadily and more integrated.” (Fars News Agency)

Iranian news outlets cited a series of statements from governments across the region, including Qatar, Pakistan, and Russia. The Turkish and Iraqi governments also released statements expressing their condolences.

• Qatar: The Qatari Foreign Ministry “announced its condolences to the government and nation and wished the the injured a speedy recovery. The Qatari Foreign Ministry stressed that its position remains constant and emphasized ending this violence and its opposition to any terrorist and criminal acts.”
• Pakistan: The Pakistani Foreign Ministry and the president of the Pakistani parliament in separate messages expressed “sympathy with the noble people of Iran, and strongly condemned the terrorist attacks.”
• Russia: Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, stated that “the attack in Tehran shows that terrorists will not sit quietly.” Lavrov added that “there is no doubt that Iran is committed to the fight against terrorism.” (Tasnim News Agency)
• Houthis in Yemen: Spokesman for the al Houthi-Saleh Foreign Ministry condemned the terrorist incidents and expressed “condolences from the government and Yemeni people to the government and the Iranian people and the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.” (Saba)
• Syria: The Syrian Foreign Ministry alluded to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states in its response, saying “terrorist attacks backed by well-known countries and circles will not discourage Syria and Iran from continuing their fight against terrorism that is supported by countries and parties known in the region and beyond.” (SANA) (E)