Iran: Deadly Attacks in Tehran

 

(Beirut) – The two attacks carried out by gunmen and suicide bombers at Ayatollah Khomeini’s shrine and the Iranian parliament in Tehran on June 7, 2017, were despicable acts of violence, Human Rights Watch said today.

 

The attacks killed at least 12 individuals and wounded at least 42, according to Iran’s Interior Ministry. The Islamic State (also known as ISIS) has allegedly claimed responsibility for both attacks in the Iranian capital. If confirmed, these would be the first large-scale acts of violence claimed by ISIS in Iran.

 

Human Rights Watch expresses its deepest condolences to the relatives of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those wounded.

 

Every effort should be made to identify those responsible for the attacks and to bring them to justice. It is also important for Iranian authorities to fully respect their human rights obligations in doing so. The principles of human rights, including the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, the rule of law, and tolerance remain the strongest bulwarks against the fear, hate, and division that those who commit these attacks seek to sow.