Tehran was hit Wednesday with two simultaneous terrorist attacks targeting the parliament and the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini in the south of the city that left 12 people dead and 42 wounded. All six attackers were also killed.
The self-styled Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks, and released a video by its Amaq news agency purportedly shot inside the parliament's premises by the attackers to prove it had eventually succeeded in carrying out its long threat to hit Iran.
Iranian advisors are assisting Syrian and Iraqi troops in their drive to push terrorist groups out of large swathes of the Arab countries.
According to a statement by the Interior Ministry published on its website, the attack on the Majlis started around 10:30 a.m. local time when the legislature was in session.
Four male attackers disguised as women visitors entered the compound and then walked into an administration building next to the Majlis.
The assailants then pulled out their Kalashnikovs rifles and pistols to start a blind shooting rampage that left 11 dead and dozens wounded.
Exchange of fire at the legislature continued for about five hours and ended around 3 p.m. with the four attackers dead, one of whom detonated his suicide vest during the standoff with security forces.
About the same time as the Majlis assault, two gunmen entered the complex of the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Republic.
The terrorists, who apparently aimed to hit the mausoleum, were stopped by security guards outside it.
After killing one and injuring three, one of the attackers blew himself up and the other was shot dead.
Third Terror Plot Foiled
According to an Intelligence Ministry statement, members of a third terrorist team were arrested before carrying out an attack.
A flurry of condolence messages poured in after the twin attacks from many countries, including Germany, France, Lebanon, Italy, Turkey, Pakistan, India, China and Syria, IRNA reported.
The Kremlin said on Wednesday the attacks underlined the need for countries to pool efforts to fight terrorism, something it said meant working closely with Muslim nations.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini was one of the first to call Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to express solidarity.
"Today, like other days when a terrorist attack occurs in the world, is a bitter day," she said.
Add new comment
Read our comment policy before posting your viewpoints