Iran confirms death of cultural attaché in Beirut

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham has confirmed the death of Iran’s cultural attaché to Beirut following double terrorist attacks outside the country’s embassy in the Lebanese capital.

Afkham said on Tuesday that Hojjatoleslam Ebrahim Ansari had been severely injured in the bombings and taken to a hospital, but he later lost his life.

Lebanon’s caretaker health minister, Ali Hassan Khalil, had earlier reported Ansari’s death.

The two blasts outside Iran’s diplomatic mission in the southern neighborhood of Janah in Beirut left at least 23 people dead. The death toll is expected to rise, as many of the wounded are in critical condition.

Over 140 others were also injured in the terrorist attacks.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif condemned the attacks and expressed his condolences over the killing of the Iranian diplomat in Beirut.

An al-Qaeda-linked group, Abdullah Azzam Brigades, has claimed responsibility for the twin bombings.