Double-faced Putin slams act of terror during Iranian military parade, says ready to boost fight against terrorism

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his “deepest condolences” to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani after a terrorist attack on an army parade in southwestern Iran left multiple people killed and wounded, denouncing the “bloody crime” and calling for an “uncompromising” joint combat against terrorism in all of its forms and “manifestations.”

The Russian leader made the comments in a message sent to his Iranian counterpart on Saturday, a few hours after four gunmen, disguised in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Basij uniforms, opened fire on people from behind a viewing stand at Quds Boulevard in the city of Ahvaz during the parade held to mark the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Iran in the 1980s.

Deputy Governor of Khuzestan Province Ali Hossein Hosseinzadeh told Iran’s Mehr News Agency that the death toll had risen to 25 from an initial figure of 10. He added that at least 60 other people had sustained injury. A four-year-old boy was also among those who had received fatal wounds.

Terrorists attack military parade in Iran’s Ahvaz

Three people are killed and at least 20 people others injured after gunmen attack a military parade in Iran’s southern city of Ahvaz.

Three of the terrorists were shot dead at the scene while a fourth was arrested and later succumbed to his wounds, armed forces spokesman Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi said.

“Please accept the deepest condolences regarding the tragic consequences of the raid by terrorists in Ahvaz. We are appalled by this bloody crime,” said Putin in his message, a copy of which was posted on the Kremlin website.

“We expect that everyone involved will face a deserved punishment. This event once again reminds us about the necessity of an uncompromising battle against terrorism in all of its manifestations. I would like to confirm our readiness to continue building cooperation with Iranian partners in resisting this evil,” the Russian leader added.

Putin also extended his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved and wished speedy recovery to the wounded.

The Saudi-backed al-Ahvaziya terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) only used the word “attack” for the act of terror.

Similarly, Reuters and others described the incident as an “attack” instead of a terrorist one, whereas they have been quick to use “terrorist attack” for similar incidents that have taken place in Europe over the past few years.

Meanwhile, the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack but provided no evidence for the claim.

Syria denounces Ahvaz terror attack

In the wake of the bloodshed in the Iranian city, the Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, vehemently condemning the act of terror and stressing that terrorists and those supporting them in the region would not be able to achieve their goals through such crimes.

An unnamed official source from the ministry further told Syria’s official SANA news agency that Damascus had expressed its “full sympathy” to and “solidarity” with Iran, reaffirming that those behind “such sordid crimes” were doomed to fail.

The official also offered the Syrian government’s “warmest condolences” to the Iranian leadership, government and people as well as families of the victims, wishing quick recovery to the wounded.

In a condolence message to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad also condemned “in the strongest terms this cowardly and criminal terrorist act.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has stood against terrorism in Syria and denounced terrorism in the international arena, all the way being honest in its principled and determined stance against Takfri and criminal terrorism,” added the Syrian president.

“I would like to affirm once more to you and to the friendly Iranian people that we are with you with all the power we have against these terrorist acts, and we hope that the backers, financers and supporters of terrorism will understand that this danger threatens mankind as a whole, urging them to reconsider their positions in backing terrorism in various parts of the world,” Assad said, according to the Syria’s official news agency SANA.

Hezbollah: Ahvaz attack in reaction to resistance front victories

The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement also condemned the attack in a statement, saying it was aimed at undermining the security and stability of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“This crime is a direct response to the major victories achieved by the resistance front in the region,” the movement said, adding that the attack was a continuation of other forms of war waged by the US and its allies, including unjust economic sanctions.

It, however, said that such attacks would never affect Iran’s strength or its constant support for the Palestinians’ resistance and other freedom-seeking nations in the world.

Yemen’s Ansarullah slams “cowardly” terror attack 

Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement, in a brief statement, condemned the terrorist attack in Ahvaz, saying that some staunch allies of the United States in the region were behind the “appalling “crime.”

It added that those who orchestrated the act of terror would only achieve more loss.

Pakistan against any terrorism

In a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Islamabad also slammed the deadly terrorist attack and expressed solidarity with Tehran and the families of those killed and wounded in the brutal shooting.

Elsewhere in the statement, cited by the Daily Pakistan, the ministry said the Pakistani government was against any kind of terrorism.

Turkey slams “heinous” terror attack

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also “strongly condemned” the terrorist attack in a statement carried by the state-run Anadolu news agency.

“We wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the wounded. We convey our condolences to the people and Government of Iran,” the statement said.

Oman strongly slams the terror attack

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman denounced the Ahvaz terror attack, adding that Muscat condemned all forms of terrorism and violence regardless of the reasons.

It also extended condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and the “friendly” Iranian people, wishing the wounded speedy recovery.

Armenia denounces “inhuman acts” of terrorists in Iran

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, in a condolence letter to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, also expressed his sympathy to the Iranian people, particularly families of the victims.

“Such inhuman acts once again reaffirm our conviction that it’s necessary to join all the efforts in fight against that evil,” he said, adding, “Strictly condemning what happened, I wish steadfastness and spiritual strength to the relatives of the victims and speedy recovery to the injured.”

Azerbaijan condemns “treacherous” terror attack

Azerbaijan Republic’s Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, in a message, denounced the terrorist incident in Ahvaz and offered his condolences to his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Amir Hatami and Chief of Staff of Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri.

“I am deeply shocked by the news about the death and injury of military servicemen and civilians as a result of a treacherous terrorist act,” he said.

“We are enraged by this terrible event and strongly condemn terrorism.”