Silence of international bodies fuels terrorist acts: Iran
Iran has censured international organizations and so-called rights advocates for remaining silent over the deadly terrorist attack against the Shah Cheragh shrine, saying the silence fuels terrorism.
Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi made the remarks on Monday, one day after a terrorist went on a shooting spree in the holy shrine, in Iran’s southern city of Shiraz, killing one and injuring eight people.
The Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the Sunday attack.
The main terrorist was immediately arrested and handed over to investigators for interrogation and further investigation. Ten suspects have also been detained so far on charges of involvement.
“Last year, we witnessed a similar incident in the holy shrine, where a group of our loved ones were martyred. All international bodies and the countries claiming to be advocating human rights remained silent. Their silence promotes such terrorist acts,” Vahidi told reporters during a visit to Shiraz.
“We will wait to see their reaction to this terrorist incident. Of course, it is predicted that they will remain tight-lipped about the terrorist act and will not show a reaction.”
In a similar terrorist attack in October 2022, an armed terrorist killed 13 pilgrims, including women and children, and wounded more than 20 others before he was shot and injured by security forces.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Vahidi blamed the assault on Iran’s “avowed enemies,” who wrongly think that they can endanger the country’s security and stability with their “cowardly” acts.
The Iranian interior minister vowed severe punishment against those who cooperated, supported, and participated in the attack.
Enemies seeking to disrupt Iran’s security: Parliament speaker
Also on Monday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf condemned the fatal terrorist assault, saying the nation expects the Judiciary to swiftly punish the perpetrators of the horrible crime.
“Compromising national security and disrupting peace and the people’s daily lives is what enemies of Iran usually do, which has been intensified in recent weeks but thwarted through the vigilance of security forces,” he added.
Terrorists trying to avenge blows dealt by Iran: FM spox
Additionally, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani said the terrorists are trying to take revenge on Iranian citizens for the “heavy blows” they were dealt by the Islamic Republic over the past years.
“Attacking innocent pilgrims in the holy shrine is a criminal act to avenge the heavy blows that they (terrorists) suffered at the hands of brave and dedicated Iranian forces in the battlefields,” he noted.
Led by Iran’s anti-terror icon General Qassem Soleimani, Iranian military advisers rushed to the aid of Iraq and Syria in the face of Daesh in 2014.
They helped Iraqi and Syrian armed forces reverse Daesh’s gains and ultimately liberate their counties from the grips of the US-sponsored terror outfit some three years later.
