TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said Thursday that “unrest” is paving the way for “terrorist” attacks, a day after a fatal attack on a shrine in the southern city of Shiraz claimed by the Islamic State group.
“The enemy’s goal is to disrupt the advance of the country, and then those riots prepare the ground for terrorist acts,” he said in televised remarks.
At least 15 other people were killed Wednesday in an attack on a prominent Shiite Muslim shrine in Shiraz, according to state media.
State television said it took place during an armed “terrorist” night prayer at Shah Cheragh’s mausoleum, and that at least 19 other people were wounded.
The attacker was a man “in his thirties” who had been arrested by security forces, authorities said.
Raisi had promised “a harsh response” on Wednesday, according to a presidential statement.
He also condemned the “enemies of Iran” who are going to “divide the united ranks of the nation. . . through violence and terror. “
The attack on the shrine came as thousands of people paid their respects to Mahsa Amini, 40 days after her death in police custody.
Dozens of people, mostly protesters but also members of the security forces, were killed in the unrest sparked by the 22-year-old’s death on Sept. 16 after she was arrested by police in Tehran for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress codes. women.
Hundreds of people, women, were arrested.
Iran’s judiciary has filed court cases against more than 1,000 people arrested in connection with the protests.
At least 4 of them were charged with a crime of death, while others were charged with “endangering the security of the country”, “propaganda” against the regime and “assaulting the security forces”.
Authorities said many other people who were not involved in the “riots” had been released.
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