ISIS Claims Responsibility For Terror Attack In Iran

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, also known as ISIS, claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Iran’s capital city, Tehran on Wednesday, June 6, 2017. So far seventeen people are reported dead and over forty others are injured. The attack began mid-morning when four of the six terrorists entered parliament disguised as women, carrying automatic weapons under their robes. One of the men detonated an explosive vest. The other three men were eventually gunned down by security. Close by, two other terrorists, a man and a woman, attacked security guards near the shrine of important revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. According to Ministry officials, the woman also used an explosive vest to blow herself up. The attack ended several hours later with five of the attackers dead and one in police custody. Parliament and the shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini are both important landmarks in Tehran.

This is the first attack by members of ISIS in Iran, although the country adamantly rejects the terror organization. Iran is a country led by Shiite Muslims and is involved in conflicts with many surrounding Sunni Muslim countries, including Iraq, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. According to Charlie Winter, a senior research fellow at the International Center for the Study of Radicalization at King’s College, “attacking Iran is kind of like attacking the US or Israel.” In the past, other Sunni extremists have issued attacks at the border of Iran and Pakistan. This was the first attack that ISIS claimed responsibility for in Iran.

Many countries have offered their condolences to Iran and pledge to help Iran fight terrorism. Russian President Vladimir Putin called for Russia’s “readiness for joint further action.” French President Emmanuel Macron discussed expanding France’s role in fighting terrorism. However, United States President Donald Trump offended many officials in Iran. His initial response was delayed several hours. The White House’s official statement read “We grieve and pray for the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks in Iran, and for the Iranian people, who are going through such challenging times. We underscore that states that sponsor terrorism risk falling victim to the evil they promote.” This response contrasts the friendship between Iran and the United States. Iran regularly offers sympathy for the United States following terrorist attacks and performed candlelit vigils in the aftermath of September 11. However, many people are offended by Trump’s insinuation that Iran is to blame for the attack. “Iranian people reject such U.S. claims of friendship,” responded Iran’s foreign minister Javad Zarif on Twitter. Zarif further described the response as “repugnant” on Thursday morning.

The attacks come at a time when tensions are on the rise in the Middle East. Sunni Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, feel supported by Trump and therefore are hardening their stance against Iran. The Revolutionary Guard Corps, a very powerful force in Iran, issued a statement that it was “very meaningful” that the attacks happened shortly after Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia. Arab royal officials are also feuding with Qatar over support of extremists. Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, used this attack to support Iran’s involvement in Iraq and Syria. This attack might indicate a new violent chapter in Iran. As extremists continue to target civilians, long-term feuds are reigniting between enemies and other friendships are now strained. The future remains uncertain for Iran in the upcoming months but peace does not seem to be on the horizon.

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