Iran condemns Istanbul terrorist attack

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari has strongly condemned a terrorist explosion in Turkey's Istanbul, stressing the importance of a united regional and global fight against terrorism.

“This terrorist operation once again reaffirmed the priority of a united fight by regional and world countries against terrorism and extremism and the importance of swift settlement of regional crises based on a political solution and rejection of all forms of terrorism,” Jaberi Ansari said.

He added that Iran would stand by the Turkish government and nation in the battle against terrorism.

Hezbollah slams attack

In a statement, the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah also denounced the acts of terror in Arab and Islamic territories, particularly in Istanbul and Baghdad, and offered its condolences to the families of the victims.

Hezbollah said terrorism is not limited to any location in particular, adding, "The campaign against this scourge calls for the collective resolve of various states and organizations."

The anti-Israeli resistance movement fighting terrorism does not only constitute the condemnation of terrorists in Syria but also entails the denunciation of the ideological, political, financial and military supporters of the ominous phenomenon.  

At least 10 people have been killed and 15 others injured in a large blast in Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet square, a major tourist attraction in Turkey's most populous city, on Tuesday.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu blamed the terrorist Takfiri Daesh group for the deadly attack.

"We have determined that the perpetrator of the attack is a foreigner who is a member of Daesh," he said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had earlier said the bomber was of Syrian origin.

Istanbul has been the target of bomb blasts before.

Turkey has been on high security alert since more than 100 people were killed in twin blasts in Ankara last October. The attack was blamed on Daesh terrorists.

Ankara has been among the main supporters of the militant groups operating in Syria, which has been grappling with a foreign-backed crisis since March 2011.

'Despicable' attack

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon the bomb attack, calling it a "despicable crime" and said the perpetrators must face justice.

Ban sent "his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and the governments of Turkey and Germany and other foreign citizens impacted by the bombing", said a statement released by his spokesperson.

"The secretary general expects the perpetrators of this attack to be swiftly brought to justice," the statement said. 

Eight Germans killed

Eight of those killed were Germans, according to Germany's Foreign Minister Franz-Walter Steinmeier.

"The Turkish foreign minister... informed me that according to current knowledge of the Turkish authorities, eight Germans count among victims," he said, adding that nine other Germans were injured, some seriously.

The German foreign ministry set up a crisis team following the attacks.

At a joint press conference with visiting Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal in Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said German officials are working with their Turkish counterparts to determine the identities of the victims.

"I will also speak with Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu about the situation in the coming hours," Merkel added.

The German chancellor said the Istanbul attack would strengthen her country’s resolve to combat international terrorism.

"Today it hit Istanbul, it has hit Paris, it hit Tunisia, it had already hit Ankara," she said. "International terrorism once again showed its cruel and inhuman face and along with the sorrow that we of course feel, it once again shows the necessity to act decisively against terrorism and ultimately overcome these atrocities."

Steinmeier also condemned Istanbul bombing as a "barbaric" act of terrorism.

The Algerian premier also stressed the importance of fighting terrorism in all its forms.

Sellal said Algeria would resolutely fight Daesh terrorist group to ensure greater security.

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