Attacks in Iran Kill 12; ISIS Claims Responsibility

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for twin attacks in Iran’s capital city of Tehran. The attacks killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more.

According to CNN.com, assailants carried out attacks on Iran’s parliament building as well as the tomb of the republic’s revolutionary founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. A third attack was also planned, but was stopped by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry.

The attacks were carried out with guns as well as at least one suicide bomb. The attackers also reportedly took several hostages. Police were able to get the situation under control about four hours after it began.

Although much of the Middle East experiences frequent violence as part of the Syrian Civil War or because of attacks by ISIS, Tehran has mostly been an exception. Therefore, this attack came as a shock to residents.

Authorities said that the targets of the attack--Iran’s parliament building and the tomb of the government’s founder--are symbolic targets for their importance to the nation’s history. 

Despite the loss of life and the important targets of the attack, Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larjani attempted to downplay it:

"As you know, some coward terrorists infiltrated a building ... but they were seriously confronted," he said in a statement. “This is a minor issue but reveals that the terrorists pursue trouble-making."

Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/BornaMir

Publication date: June 7, 2017