Iran’s president condemns twin bombings in Pakistan

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi has condemned terrorist bombings at two mosques in Pakistan, saying Tehran is firmly ready to counter extremism in all its forms.

At least 57 people were killed and more than 60 injured in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan on Friday.

The bombings were carried out near a mosque in Mastung city as people were gathering to celebrate the birthday anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

There has been no claim of responsibility for the blasts.

In a message to Pakistani President Arif Alvi on Friday, Raeisi said the “blind” action once again showed the terrorists, who have no understanding of the merciful teachings of Islam, pursue “no goal but to sow discord among Muslims.”

“However, this time they will also fail to achieve their illegitimate and inhumane objectives.”

The Iranian president condemned the “terrorist, anti-religious and anti-human” move and expressed his sympathy and condolences to his Pakistani counterpart and the Muslim nation of the country.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is resolutely ready to cooperate with Pakistan in the fight against any form of terrorism and extremism,” Raeisi said.

He urged the international community, especially the Muslim countries, to “seriously react to this criminal act and prevent the recurrence of such bitter events.”

The Iranian president expressed hope the perpetrators would be identified and punished as soon as possible.

Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani also condemned the acts of terrorism and said the attacks are “a clear example of terrorists’ aloofness from the merciful teachings of the Prophet of Islam”.

Over the past few months, Mastung has been the scene of frequent acts of violence linked to nationalists and separatists.

Earlier this month, at least 11 people, including religious leader Hafiz Hamdullah, were injured in a blast in the same district. Before that, a tax official was gunned down at a bus stand by unidentified men who also wounded two bystanders.