Iran’s military chief says national security, tranquility, as well as the people’s lives and property are a red line for the country’s Armed Forces, vowing revenge against the masterminds and perpetrators of the bloody terrorist attack in Shiraz.
The Daesh-claimed terrorist attack on the holy shrine of Shah Cheragh took place on Wednesday just before the evening prayers, when an assailant opened indiscriminate fire at pilgrims inside the shrine and was himself wounded and arrested by security officials.
In a message on Thursday, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri said the country’s security and intelligence forces would soon punish the “internal and foreign designers and perpetrators” of the brutal crime for their shameful actions.
He added that rioters behind the recent wave of unrest in the country and those who have been deceived in the case were “undoubtedly complicit in this big crime.”
The top Iranian commander emphasized that the plot has been devised and directed by “the vicious Hebrew-Arabic-Western triangle.”
Nour News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran's top security body, said the militant who carried out the attack was a foreign national but did not give his nationality.
CCTV footage released by local authorities showed the terrorist making his way inside the shrine after hiding an assault rifle in a bag and opening fire at worshipers tried to flee and hide in corridors.
As many as 15 people were martyred and dozens of others were wounded.
IRGC chief vows punishment
In turn, Chief Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami also on Thursday denounced the “brutal crime and vicious act” in Shiraz and vowed retaliation against its perpetrators.
He delivered a stern warning to the perpetrators and sponsors of the horrific crime, saying the Iranian nation will eventually bring them to justice.
The IRGC chief said the terror attack showed “the enemies of dignity, strength and progress of the Islamic Iran” will commit any crime to “achieve their malicious goals and wishes” and are ready to kill and shed the blood of defenseless men, women and children even during prayers.