Iran Condemns Terrorist Attack in Iraq's Hilla
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned a terrorist attack on a gas station south of Iraq's capital Baghdad that killed scores of people on Thursday, including Iranians returning from Arbaeen pilgrimage in the holy city of Karbala.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi slammed the terrorist attack as a horrible crime, voicing Iran’s readiness to take whatever action necessary to deal with the issue.
He also expressed condolences to the Iraqi government and nation, stressing that such “barbaric and inhumane move” could by no means erode Tehran and Baghdad’s resolve to fight against terrorism.
The spokesman then described the offensive as a reaction to the consecutive defeats that terrorists have suffered in Iraq.
At least 100 people have been killed and dozens wounded in the massive suicide truck bomb blast at a gas station near the town of Hilla, 100 km (62 miles) south of Baghdad.
At least 25 Iranian pilgrims have been pronounced dead in the attack as of Friday morning.
Daesh (ISIL, also known as ISIS) terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Joint Operations Command in Baghdad issued a statement saying the vehicle was packed with 500 liters of ammonium nitrate, a chemical compound used in many explosive devices.
