Rouhani Cancels Europe Trip Over "Inhuman" Paris Attacks

President Hassan Rouhani canceled a European visit due to Friday's "inhuman" terrorist attacks in Paris claimed by the so-called Islamic State militant group.

"In view of the Paris terrorist incidents, the president's visit to Italy, Vatican and France has been postponed in coordination with the hosts," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport on Saturday before departing for Vienna to attend another round of international peace talks on Syria, IRNA reported.

Restaurants, a concert hall and a sports stadium at locations across Paris were targeted by gunmen and bombers, resulting in the death of at least 127 people.

French President Francois Hollande declared a state of emergency over what he called an unprecedented terrorist attack.

Rouhani was scheduled to meet the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and business leaders during his Nov. 14-15 visit to Rome and hold talks with Pope Francis. He was then to fly to Paris for talks on Nov. 16-17.

"We have [always] believed that there must be an international campaign against terrorism and extremism, an evil manifestation of which was witnessed yesterday in France. Their threat is not limited to the region, so neither should the campaign," Zarif said.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is at the forefront of the campaign," he added.

Rouhani sent a message to Hollande extending sympathies over the incident.

"We were deeply saddened by the news of the terrorist acts killing and injuring many innocent people in Paris," Rouhani said in the message carried by his official website.

"I, on behalf of the great Iranian nation who have been a victim of the evil phenomenon of terrorism, strongly condemn the inhuman crime and express condolences to the grieving French people and government."

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hossein Jaber Ansari said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran stresses that those who committed the crimes are ignorant of the spirit of Islam and all other divine religions and of ethical principles."

Ansari reiterated the need for "collective international resolve" to help eradicate terrorism, voicing Tehran's readiness for cooperation with other countries in this regard.