AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Condemnations have been pouring in following the Wednesday terrorist attack in Iran’s southeastern city of Kerman where dozens of people lost their lives. The United Nations, the European Union and a growing number of countries have denounced the attack, expressing sympathy with the Iranian nation.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attack that took place as people were marking the fourth anniversary of the US assassination of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.
Guterres called for those responsible to be held accountable for the attack and expressed his condolences to the Iranian people and government.
“The Secretary-General expresses his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He wishes the injured a speedy recovery”, United Nations Associate Spokesperson Florencia Soto Nino said, according to a press release by the UN.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell also strongly condemned the Kerman attack, and expressed sympathy with the families of the victims as well as the Iranian people and government.
He spoke on the phone with Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian who highlighted the need to fight all forms of terrorism by the international community.
The European Union issued a separate statement, also strongly denouncing the attack and expressing solidarity with the people of Iran. It said that the perpetrators of this terrorist attack should be held accountable.
Ireland’s Foreign Minister Micheál Martin condemned the “reprehensible and indiscriminate attack”.
“I strongly condemn the bombing in Iran today, a reprehensible and indiscriminate attack. Terrorism and violence is never justified. I extend my condolences to those who lost loved ones and to the people of Iran,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The Persian Gulf countries of Qatar and Oman strongly denounced the attack as well, extending their condolences to the people and government of Iran.
Oman reiterated its stance of denouncing any kind of violence and terrorism, while Qatar expressed its opposition to violence, terrorism, and criminal acts regardless of the motives behind them.
Also in the region, Iraq’s Government Spokesman Basim Alawadi slammed the attack and expressed his country’s solidarity with the Iranian people and government. He said that Iraq is ready to offer assistance to Iran.
Iraq’s Top Shia Cleric Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani, in a message issued by his office, expressed great sadness over the attack and extended condolences to the families of the victims as well as all people of Iran.
Top Pakistani officials issued separate messages, with the country’s prime minister, foreign minister as well as parliament speaker condemning the “heinous” attack. Pakistan’s ambassador to Tehran echoed the same comments as well.
To Latin America, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil shared a post on X, condemning “in the strongest terms the terrorist attack that occurred in the city of Kerman.” He called for the punishment of the perpetrators.
A number of other countries, including Russia, have already denounced the attack.
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