Iran's Khamenei says attacks to increase hatred toward US, Saudi TV

Suicide bombers attacked the Iranian parliament and Ayatollah Khomeini's mausoleum in Tehran on Wednesday


Reuters June 09, 2017
Suicide bombers and gunmen enter Iran's parliament and Ayatullah Khomeini's mausoleum. PHOTO: REUTERS

ANKARA: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday attacks in Tehran by Islamic State that killed at least 17 people will increase hatred towards the United States and Saudi Arabia, state TV reported.

Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the Iranian parliament and Ayatollah Khomeini's mausoleum in Tehran on Wednesday. Scores of people were wounded.

12 dead in attacks on Iran parliament, Khomenei's mausoleum in Tehran

"It will not damage our nation's determination to fight terrorism ... but will only increase hatred for the governments of the United States and their stooges in the region like Saudis," Khamenei said in a message read at the funeral of victims of the attacks.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks and threatened more against Iran's majority Shia population, seen by the hard-line Sunni militants as heretics.

Iranian authorities said on Thursday five of the attackers were Iranian nationals recruited by Islamic State to carry out the assaults inside the tightly controlled Shia Iran.

Islamic State claims responsibility for Manchester attack

Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards Corps blamed the assault on regional rival Saudi Arabia and has threatened revenge. Sunni Saudi Arabia denied any involvement in the attacks.

The assaults have further fueled tension between Riyadh and Tehran as they vie for control of the Gulf and influence in the wider Islamic world. Iran is one of the powers leading the fight against Islamic State forces in Iraq and Syria.

COMMENTS (3)

cuban | 6 years ago | Reply Not sure why the USA or the Saudi's should be blamed for Iranian's who joined IS and decided to murder fellow Iranian's. It would appear that Khamenei isn't much on logic or self reflection.
Bunny Rabbit | 6 years ago | Reply the world seems to have ganged up against shias of Iran / Balouch / parts of Iraq. how unfair . its the holy month for all cults .
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ