Middle Eastern nations condemn deadly twin bombing in Iran

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - DUBAI — Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday joined multiple countries in condemning deadly twin blasts in Iran, which have threatened to stoke tensions in the region nearly three months after war erupted in Gaza.

In a post Thursday on X, formerly Twitter, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry affirmed the Kingdom's "rejection and condemnation of the terrorist bombings that targeted civilians in the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Also in an X post, the UAE's Foreign Ministry said it "expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts, and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability.”

Both countries also expressed condolences to the victims.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi has condemned the terrorist bombings that took place in Kerman, which resulted in many causalities and injuries.

Albudaiwi stressed the GCC's rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism, which aim to destabilize security and stability and are inconsistent with human values and principles.

He offered condolences to the Iranian government, people and families of the victims and wished speedy recovery to the injured.

Dozens of people were killed Wednesday in the southern Iranian city of Kerman after twin explosions near the burial site of slain military commander Qasem Soleimani, in what officials called a terror attack. No group has claimed responsibility.

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has blamed Israel for the blasts, saying it will pay a “heavy price.” The Israeli military told CNN it had “no comment” on the matter.

In Jeddah, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hussain Taha has condemned the terrorist bombing that targeted civilians in Iran and resulted in many casualties.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the OIC General Secretariat affirmed its solidarity with Iran in this tragic event.

The secretariat offered condolences to the Iranian government, people and families of the victims, and wished speedy recovery to the injured.

The attacks have also been condemned by the European Union, the United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, and the foreign ministries of Pakistan and India.

Calling "terrorism" a “threat to regional and global peace and security,” Pakistan's foreign ministry urged bilateral and regional cooperation.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts. The Israeli military told CNN it had "no comment" on the matter while the US State Department said it had no reason to believe Israel was involved. A senior US official said the blasts were similar to previous terrorist attacks carried out by ISIS.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi blamed Israel for the deadly twin explosions.

The blasts near the burial site of slain military commander Qasem Soleimani came on the fourth anniversary of his death in a US airstrike, threatening to accelerate tensions in the region that have spiked since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

"I warn the Zionist regime: Do not doubt that you will pay a heavy price for this crime and the crimes you have committed," Raisi said in a televized speech.

Raisi, who is the head of the Iranian government, also warned that Israel's punishment will be "regrettable and severe." — Agencies