Military Parade in Ahvaz Targeted:
Cowardly Terror Attack by U.S. Puppets
TEHRAN (Dispatches) — Gunmen disguised as soldiers attacked an annual Iranian military parade Saturday in the country's southwest, martyring 25 people and wounding 60 others.
The attack in Ahvaz saw gunfire sprayed into a crowd of marching troops, bystanders and government officials watching from a nearby riser.
"This crime is a continuation of the plots of the regional states that are puppets of the United States, and their goal is to create insecurity in our dear country," Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said.
The attack came as rows of troops marched down Ahvaz's Quds Boulevard, which like many other places around the country saw an annual parade marking the start of the Iraqi-imposed war of the 1980s on Iran. Images captured by state television showed journalists and onlookers turn to look toward the first shots, then the rows of marchers broke as soldiers and civilians sought cover under sustained gunfire.
"Oh God! Go go go! Lie down! Lie down!" one man screamed as a woman fled with her baby.
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) spokesman Ramezan Sharif said the attackers were affiliated to a terrorist group supported by Saudi Arabia.
"The individuals who fired at the people and the armed forces during the parade are connected to the al-Ahvaziya group which is fed by Saudi Arabia," he said.
Sharif said the shooting is not unprecedented and the group which is also supported by the UK has attacked convoys of those visiting the former frontlines in Saddam's war on Iran in recent years.
In the aftermath, paramedics tended to the wounded as soldiers, some bloodied in their dress uniforms, helped their comrades to ambulances.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the "tragic and sorrowful" incident in Ahvaz and the killing of people by mercenary terrorists once again exposed the cruelty of the enemies of the Iranian nation.
These savage mercenaries who open fire on innocent civilians, including women and children, are linked with the same liars who claim to advocate human rights, the Leader added.
The official IRNA news agency said the attack martyred 25 people and wounded 60. It said gunmen wore uniforms of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Basij forces and targeted a riser where military and police commanders were sitting.
"We suddenly realized that some armed people wearing fake military outfits started attacking the comrades from behind (the stage) and then opened fire on women and children," an unnamed wounded soldier told state TV. "They were just aimlessly shooting around and did not have a specific target."
Khuzestan Governor Gholamreza Shariati told IRNA that two gunmen were killed and two others were arrested.
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the perpetrators and their cohorts could not tolerate the display of national strength in the Iranian armed forces.
"Their crime is the continuation of plots by the U.S.-led governments in the region who aim to create insecurity in our dear country," the Leader stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the Iranian nation would continue down their honorable path and would "overcome all hostilities like in the past."
President Hassan Rouhani ordered security forces to identify those responsible for the violence. He said the Islamic Republic will give a "crushing" response to the slightest threat against the country.
"Those who are providing these terrorists with propaganda and intelligence support must be held accountable," Rouhani said.
Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif also said Iran will respond "swiftly and decisively” in defense of its people.
"Terrorists recruited, trained, armed, and paid by a foreign regime have attacked Ahvaz. Children and journos among casualties,” Zarif tweeted. Iran holds "regional terror sponsors” and their "U.S. masters” responsible for the attack, he said.
Messages of condolences and condemnation poured in from around the world.
"Please accept the deepest condolences regarding the tragic consequences of the raid by terrorists in Ahvaz. We are appalled by this bloody crime,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin said a message to Rouhani.
"We expect that everyone involved will face a deserved punishment. This event once again reminds us about the necessity of an uncompromising battle against terrorism in all of its manifestations. I would like to confirm our readiness to continue building cooperation with Iranian partners in resisting this evil,” the Russian leader added.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry "strongly condemned” the terrorist attack in a statement carried by the state-run Anadolu news agency.
"We wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the wounded. We convey our condolences to the people and Government of Iran,” the statement said.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office also condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Tehran and the families of those killed and wounded in the brutal shooting.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry expressed its "full sympathy” to and "solidarity” with Iran, reaffirming that those behind "such sordid crimes” were doomed to fail.
Saturday's attack comes after a coordinated June 7, 2017 Daesh assault on parliament and the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini in Tehran. At least 18 people were martyred and more than 50 wounded.
"These blind and subversive acts will not have any effect on the resolve and will of the people and their spirit of resistance, but will unite all the people and authorities in confronting the conspiracies of the enemies," Deputy Governor of Khuzestan Province Ali Hussein Husseinzadeh said.
The attack comes after a U.S.-backed campaign to stir up unrest in Iranian cities fell flat. The effort, known as the Hot Summer Project, sought to whip up public anger over water and electricity shortages in the face of a protracted drought.
The attack in Ahvaz saw gunfire sprayed into a crowd of marching troops, bystanders and government officials watching from a nearby riser.
"This crime is a continuation of the plots of the regional states that are puppets of the United States, and their goal is to create insecurity in our dear country," Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said.
The attack came as rows of troops marched down Ahvaz's Quds Boulevard, which like many other places around the country saw an annual parade marking the start of the Iraqi-imposed war of the 1980s on Iran. Images captured by state television showed journalists and onlookers turn to look toward the first shots, then the rows of marchers broke as soldiers and civilians sought cover under sustained gunfire.
"Oh God! Go go go! Lie down! Lie down!" one man screamed as a woman fled with her baby.
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) spokesman Ramezan Sharif said the attackers were affiliated to a terrorist group supported by Saudi Arabia.
"The individuals who fired at the people and the armed forces during the parade are connected to the al-Ahvaziya group which is fed by Saudi Arabia," he said.
Sharif said the shooting is not unprecedented and the group which is also supported by the UK has attacked convoys of those visiting the former frontlines in Saddam's war on Iran in recent years.
In the aftermath, paramedics tended to the wounded as soldiers, some bloodied in their dress uniforms, helped their comrades to ambulances.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the "tragic and sorrowful" incident in Ahvaz and the killing of people by mercenary terrorists once again exposed the cruelty of the enemies of the Iranian nation.
These savage mercenaries who open fire on innocent civilians, including women and children, are linked with the same liars who claim to advocate human rights, the Leader added.
The official IRNA news agency said the attack martyred 25 people and wounded 60. It said gunmen wore uniforms of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Basij forces and targeted a riser where military and police commanders were sitting.
"We suddenly realized that some armed people wearing fake military outfits started attacking the comrades from behind (the stage) and then opened fire on women and children," an unnamed wounded soldier told state TV. "They were just aimlessly shooting around and did not have a specific target."
Khuzestan Governor Gholamreza Shariati told IRNA that two gunmen were killed and two others were arrested.
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the perpetrators and their cohorts could not tolerate the display of national strength in the Iranian armed forces.
"Their crime is the continuation of plots by the U.S.-led governments in the region who aim to create insecurity in our dear country," the Leader stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the Iranian nation would continue down their honorable path and would "overcome all hostilities like in the past."
President Hassan Rouhani ordered security forces to identify those responsible for the violence. He said the Islamic Republic will give a "crushing" response to the slightest threat against the country.
"Those who are providing these terrorists with propaganda and intelligence support must be held accountable," Rouhani said.
Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif also said Iran will respond "swiftly and decisively” in defense of its people.
"Terrorists recruited, trained, armed, and paid by a foreign regime have attacked Ahvaz. Children and journos among casualties,” Zarif tweeted. Iran holds "regional terror sponsors” and their "U.S. masters” responsible for the attack, he said.
Messages of condolences and condemnation poured in from around the world.
"Please accept the deepest condolences regarding the tragic consequences of the raid by terrorists in Ahvaz. We are appalled by this bloody crime,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin said a message to Rouhani.
"We expect that everyone involved will face a deserved punishment. This event once again reminds us about the necessity of an uncompromising battle against terrorism in all of its manifestations. I would like to confirm our readiness to continue building cooperation with Iranian partners in resisting this evil,” the Russian leader added.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry "strongly condemned” the terrorist attack in a statement carried by the state-run Anadolu news agency.
"We wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the wounded. We convey our condolences to the people and Government of Iran,” the statement said.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office also condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Tehran and the families of those killed and wounded in the brutal shooting.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry expressed its "full sympathy” to and "solidarity” with Iran, reaffirming that those behind "such sordid crimes” were doomed to fail.
Saturday's attack comes after a coordinated June 7, 2017 Daesh assault on parliament and the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini in Tehran. At least 18 people were martyred and more than 50 wounded.
"These blind and subversive acts will not have any effect on the resolve and will of the people and their spirit of resistance, but will unite all the people and authorities in confronting the conspiracies of the enemies," Deputy Governor of Khuzestan Province Ali Hussein Husseinzadeh said.
The attack comes after a U.S.-backed campaign to stir up unrest in Iranian cities fell flat. The effort, known as the Hot Summer Project, sought to whip up public anger over water and electricity shortages in the face of a protracted drought.