Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Iran strongly condemns massacre of pilgrims in Iraq

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, March 7, IRNA
Iran-Iraq-Hosseini
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini here Wednesday strongly condemned the massacre of scores of pilgrims in two suicide bomb attacks in Iraq.

He said scores of pilgrims attending a ceremony marking Arbayeen, the end of the 40-day mourning period commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), were martyred and wounded in Iraq, stressing it was a terrorist act which is condemned by Islamic principles and values.

Pointing to the nefarious goals of agents of arrogant powers possibly to cause discord, he said that "the oppressed pilgrims who went to the city of Karbala were targeted by agents of arrogant powers to fan the flames of religious differences and damage the unity and solidarity of the Iraqi people."

He said foreign forces do not pay attention to the need to preserve lives, adding that the "escalation of violence and targeting of Iraqi people show the disregard by occupying forces of their responsibilities."

"Unfortunately, it is always innocent people who pay the cost of disregard of official duty," he said.

Hosseini expressed his sympathy to families of the victims, the Iraqi government and nation, and stressed that vigilance, unity and patience of the Iraqi nation against terrorist acts will be the best solution to neutralize conspiracies of the enemies.

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