July 2010 Zahedan bombings
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Zahedan bombings were two suicide bombings on 2010 that targeted Shia worshippers in Iran
, including members of the Revolutionary Guards. The bombings targeted those celebrating the birthday of a Muslim
saint at the Jamia mosque in Zahedan
, Sistan-Baluchestan. Responsibility for the attacks was claimed by Jundullah in revenge for the execution of their leader by the Iranian government. Amongst the reactions and national and supranational condemnations, Iran blamed the USA and Israel for facilitating the attack.
and his brother Abdolhamid Rigi
. In retaliation, Jundullah vowed revenge for his execution.
This attack was also similar to another attack in the same city last year, which also targeted a mosque and killed several high-ranking Revolutionary Guards. The group have carried out many more attacks against the Guards in the province.
Iran's deputy interior minister said "a suicide operation was carried out in the Jamia mosque, which left several martyrs [dead] and several wounded. The first explosion took place behind a checkpoint and a number of Revolutionary Guard members were killed and injured because of it." Hossein Ali Shahriari, a Zahedan member of parliament, said that two suicide attacks occurred one after another, with the first one carried out by a bomber dressed as a woman. "The attacker, dressed in women's clothing, was trying to get in the mosque, but was prevented. When people came to rescue those hit in that blast, another bomber blew himself up. Three to four have been killed at least in the first attack."
In addition to the 27 killed, eleven people were in critical condition. The Minister of Health, Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi, said a specialized medical team has been dispatched to the city to rush aid to the victims.
declared three days of mourning. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
sent a condolence message to the people of the province and also said "In our region... the blind and savage terrorism is born out of the evil policies of the United States, Britain and their state and non-state mercenaries. All Muslims are required to combat and confront this evil and sinister offspring which is the epitome of corruption on earth and of waging war against God. [This] bloody incident [was carried out by] devious, bigoted Wahabis with the support and plotting of foreign spy organizations. The Shiite and Sunni thinkers in all Islamic and Arab countries should define the wicked intentions of the enemies which is to instigate sectarian terrorism for all and prevent them (Muslim nations) from the great danger of religious unrest. [Iran was the] target of the spy services of the US and Zionist regimes, and Britain [who wanted to] push it into religious unrest and into a Shiite-Sunni conflict. But the Islamic republic will not allow the agents of global arrogance to incite division among Muslim brothers." President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad upped the ante a few days later saying "No grouping other than US-backed terrorist groups which are devoid of human feelings can commit such acts." Adding that though "We are friends with the Pakistani nation, … but the Pakistani government should be held accountable. The puppeteers pulling the strings in this show will get nothing. Such aggressive policies will only fuel public hatred." He also called on the Foreign Ministry to follow up on the attack with the Pakistani government; and instructed his office to lodge a complaint within "international circles" based on "existing documents" and NATO and Israel's cooperation with the terrorists. Ali Mohammad Azad, the governor of Sistan-Baluchestan province, blamed "the intelligence services of arrogant powers" (often a euphemism for the West
). The Interior Minister, Mostafa Mohammad Najjar, said "The terrorist act by the Zion
ists had a number of objectives, including creating division between Shias and Sunnis." The deputy interior minister, Ali Abdollahi, said "This blind terrorist act was carried out by the mercenaries of the world['s] arrogance (the Western powers). The agents of this crime were trained and equipped beyond our borders and then came into Iran." The deputy commander of the Revolutionary Guards, General Hossein Salami, said the victims "were martyred by the hands of mercenaries of the US and UK." Yadollah Javani, the head of IRGC's political bureau, said the attack points to the involvement of terrorist groups under the auspices of the United States, Israel and some other Western countries seeking to create sectarian division. Massoud Jazayeri, the deputy head and a senior IRGC commander said "Jundollah has been supported by America for its terrorist acts in the past ... America will have to await the fallout of such criminal and savage measures." Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast also took issue with the West saying "Western countries had better stop supporting terrorists instead of giving them shelter on their soil and strengthening them."
An Iranian Sunni cleric, Molavi Nazir Ahmad Salami, condemned the attack and urged vigilance against creating a rift between Shias and Sunnis. He said "The terrorist bombings were carried out in front of Zahedan's Grand Mosque with the aim of undermining Shia-Sunni unity and solidarity among the brave border-guarding people of the region and thus people should be on alert. This bestial crime left yet another stain of disgrace on the dark record of the global arrogance."
Hossein-Ali Shahriari, the Zahedan representative to the Majlis
, tendered his resignation telling the Speaker Ali Larijani
that he was resigning due to the inability of authorities to maintain security in his constituency. Two more representatives from the province, Abbas-Ali Noura and Peyman Forouzesh also resign for the same reason.
On 17 July, tens of thousands of mourners amassed in Zahedan for the burial of the dead.
International organizations
European Union
condemned the attack.
United Nations
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
said "This senseless act of terrorism at a place of worship makes it all the more reprehensible." While the Security Council condemned the attack in the "strongest terms" and called for those responsible to be brought to justice. "The members of the Security Council express their condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and the Government of Iran."
Other states Afghan President Hamid Karzai
issued a statement expressing deep grief and "this awful terrorist crime an attack against God's house and emphasized the effective struggle and regional fight against terrorism." Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister
Lawrence Cannon
issued a statement condemning "the deadly suicide bombings that claimed the lives of more than 25 people at the Jamia mosque." The minister expressed condolences, on behalf of all Canadians, to the families of those killed. He concluded by stating Canada's hope that "the perpetrators of these violent acts will be brought to justice." King Abdullah II of Jordan
condemned the bombings. Lebanese
opposition party leader Hassan Nasrallah
of Hezbollah said "We extend the deepest condolences to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and to the government and people of the Islamic Republic as well as to the relatives of the victims." An Hezbollah statement also said they considered the attack a crime "as part of the arrogant campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran, through terrorist groups and organizations that have been raised by western intelligence, as the latter taught them combat techniques that know no mercy, indiscriminate of age or gender." It added that the group were confident that Iran would overcome such "criminal aggressions, as it should bring the murderous terrorist organizations to an end on one hand, and severs any American-Western attempt to use these criminals in realizing its arrogant targets inside the Islamic Republic." United Kingdom Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt condemns the attack saying "The UK strongly condemns this atrocity. In targetting a busy mosque, the bombers claimed the lives of peaceful worshippers and passers by. Our thoughts are with the families of the 22 people who have lost their lives so far, and the many more injured." United States President Barack Obama
condemned the "outrageous terrorist attacks" saying "The murder of innocent civilians in their place of worship is an intolerable offense, and those who carried it out must be held accountable. Together, the people of the world must condemn and oppose all forms of terrorism, and support the universal right of human beings to live free from fear and senseless violence." Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton issued a statement condemning the terrorist attack and extending sympathy to the families and loved ones of those injured and killed. Clinton also called for the perpetrators of the attack to be held accountable for their actions. She also added that due to the spate of attacks preceding this in Uganda, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Algeria was a reason for "global community's need to work together to combat terrorist organisations that threaten the lives of innocent civilians all around the world." The statement came after Iranian accusations of American support for Jundullah following the arrest of Abdolmalek Rigi and accusations of having kidnapped Shahram Amiri
. During a press briefing at the State Department on , spokesman PJ Crowley came under fire for his confusing messages in relation to condemnation of the bombings and Amiri when a reporter asked about American intentions in regards to "trying to screw someone who screwed you guys."
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, including members of the Revolutionary Guards. The bombings targeted those celebrating the birthday of a Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
saint at the Jamia mosque in Zahedan
Zahedan
Zahedan is a city in and the capital of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 552,706, in 109,488 families.-Geography:...
, Sistan-Baluchestan. Responsibility for the attacks was claimed by Jundullah in revenge for the execution of their leader by the Iranian government. Amongst the reactions and national and supranational condemnations, Iran blamed the USA and Israel for facilitating the attack.
Background
In the months before the attack, Iran captured and executed the leader of Jundullah Abdolmalek RigiAbdolmalek Rigi
Abdolmajid Rigi or Abdolmalek Rigi was the leader of Jundallah, an Islamist Sunni militant organization based in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province of southeast Iran, until his capture and execution in 2010 by the Iranian government.-Biography:Born in 1983, Abdolmalek Rigi is from the Regi tribe...
and his brother Abdolhamid Rigi
Abdolhamid Rigi
Abdolhamid Rigi was the elder brother of the detained leader of Jundallah, Abdolmalek Rigi...
. In retaliation, Jundullah vowed revenge for his execution.
This attack was also similar to another attack in the same city last year, which also targeted a mosque and killed several high-ranking Revolutionary Guards. The group have carried out many more attacks against the Guards in the province.
Attacks
The attacks occurred as worshippers were celebrating the birthday of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.Iran's deputy interior minister said "a suicide operation was carried out in the Jamia mosque, which left several martyrs [dead] and several wounded. The first explosion took place behind a checkpoint and a number of Revolutionary Guard members were killed and injured because of it." Hossein Ali Shahriari, a Zahedan member of parliament, said that two suicide attacks occurred one after another, with the first one carried out by a bomber dressed as a woman. "The attacker, dressed in women's clothing, was trying to get in the mosque, but was prevented. When people came to rescue those hit in that blast, another bomber blew himself up. Three to four have been killed at least in the first attack."
In addition to the 27 killed, eleven people were in critical condition. The Minister of Health, Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi, said a specialized medical team has been dispatched to the city to rush aid to the victims.
Investigations
Two days after the attack, Iranian police arrested 40 people for "creating disturbances." Deputy police chief, Geneneral Ahmad Reza Radan, said the police had arrested people who "intended to create insecurity in the city of Zahedan after the bombing."Responsibility
In an email to Al-Arabiya, Jundallah said the attacks were a response to the execution of its leaders and also threatened more such attacks.Reactions
Domestic reactions IranIran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
declared three days of mourning. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Ali Khamenei
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Hoseyni Khāmene’i is the Supreme Leader of Iran and the figurative head of the Muslim conservative establishment in Iran and Twelver Shi'a marja...
sent a condolence message to the people of the province and also said "In our region... the blind and savage terrorism is born out of the evil policies of the United States, Britain and their state and non-state mercenaries. All Muslims are required to combat and confront this evil and sinister offspring which is the epitome of corruption on earth and of waging war against God. [This] bloody incident [was carried out by] devious, bigoted Wahabis with the support and plotting of foreign spy organizations. The Shiite and Sunni thinkers in all Islamic and Arab countries should define the wicked intentions of the enemies which is to instigate sectarian terrorism for all and prevent them (Muslim nations) from the great danger of religious unrest. [Iran was the] target of the spy services of the US and Zionist regimes, and Britain [who wanted to] push it into religious unrest and into a Shiite-Sunni conflict. But the Islamic republic will not allow the agents of global arrogance to incite division among Muslim brothers." President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad upped the ante a few days later saying "No grouping other than US-backed terrorist groups which are devoid of human feelings can commit such acts." Adding that though "We are friends with the Pakistani nation, … but the Pakistani government should be held accountable. The puppeteers pulling the strings in this show will get nothing. Such aggressive policies will only fuel public hatred." He also called on the Foreign Ministry to follow up on the attack with the Pakistani government; and instructed his office to lodge a complaint within "international circles" based on "existing documents" and NATO and Israel's cooperation with the terrorists. Ali Mohammad Azad, the governor of Sistan-Baluchestan province, blamed "the intelligence services of arrogant powers" (often a euphemism for the West
West
West is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.West is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of east and is perpendicular to north and south.By convention, the left side of a map is west....
). The Interior Minister, Mostafa Mohammad Najjar, said "The terrorist act by the Zion
Zion
Zion is a place name often used as a synonym for Jerusalem. The word is first found in Samuel II, 5:7 dating to c.630-540 BCE...
ists had a number of objectives, including creating division between Shias and Sunnis." The deputy interior minister, Ali Abdollahi, said "This blind terrorist act was carried out by the mercenaries of the world['s] arrogance (the Western powers). The agents of this crime were trained and equipped beyond our borders and then came into Iran." The deputy commander of the Revolutionary Guards, General Hossein Salami, said the victims "were martyred by the hands of mercenaries of the US and UK." Yadollah Javani, the head of IRGC's political bureau, said the attack points to the involvement of terrorist groups under the auspices of the United States, Israel and some other Western countries seeking to create sectarian division. Massoud Jazayeri, the deputy head and a senior IRGC commander said "Jundollah has been supported by America for its terrorist acts in the past ... America will have to await the fallout of such criminal and savage measures." Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast also took issue with the West saying "Western countries had better stop supporting terrorists instead of giving them shelter on their soil and strengthening them."
An Iranian Sunni cleric, Molavi Nazir Ahmad Salami, condemned the attack and urged vigilance against creating a rift between Shias and Sunnis. He said "The terrorist bombings were carried out in front of Zahedan's Grand Mosque with the aim of undermining Shia-Sunni unity and solidarity among the brave border-guarding people of the region and thus people should be on alert. This bestial crime left yet another stain of disgrace on the dark record of the global arrogance."
Hossein-Ali Shahriari, the Zahedan representative to the Majlis
Majlis
' , is an Arabic term meaning "a place of sitting", used in the context of "council", to describe various types of special gatherings among common interest groups be it administrative, social or religious in countries with linguistic or cultural connections to Islamic countries...
, tendered his resignation telling the Speaker Ali Larijani
Ali Larijani
Ali Ardashir Larijani is an Iranian philosopher, politician and the chairman of the Iranian parliament. Larijani was the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council from August 15, 2005 to October 20, 2007, appointed to the position by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,replacing Hassan Rowhani...
that he was resigning due to the inability of authorities to maintain security in his constituency. Two more representatives from the province, Abbas-Ali Noura and Peyman Forouzesh also resign for the same reason.
On 17 July, tens of thousands of mourners amassed in Zahedan for the burial of the dead.
International organizations
European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
condemned the attack.
United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
said "This senseless act of terrorism at a place of worship makes it all the more reprehensible." While the Security Council condemned the attack in the "strongest terms" and called for those responsible to be brought to justice. "The members of the Security Council express their condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and the Government of Iran."
Other states Afghan President Hamid Karzai
Hamid Karzai
Hamid Karzai, GCMG is the 12th and current President of Afghanistan, taking office on 7 December 2004. He became a dominant political figure after the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001...
issued a statement expressing deep grief and "this awful terrorist crime an attack against God's house and emphasized the effective struggle and regional fight against terrorism." Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada)
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for overseeing the federal government's international relations section of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada....
Lawrence Cannon
Lawrence Cannon
Lawrence Cannon, PC is a Canadian politician from Quebec and Prime Minister Stephen Harper's former Quebec lieutenant. On October 30, 2008 he was sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs...
issued a statement condemning "the deadly suicide bombings that claimed the lives of more than 25 people at the Jamia mosque." The minister expressed condolences, on behalf of all Canadians, to the families of those killed. He concluded by stating Canada's hope that "the perpetrators of these violent acts will be brought to justice." King Abdullah II of Jordan
Abdullah II of Jordan
Abdullah II ibn al-Hussein is the reigning King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. He ascended the throne on 7 February 1999 after the death of his father King Hussein. King Abdullah, whose mother is Princess Muna al-Hussein, is a member of the Hashemite family...
condemned the bombings. Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
opposition party leader Hassan Nasrallah
Hassan Nasrallah
Hasan Nasrallah, became the third Secretary General of the Lebanese political and paramilitary organization Hezbollah after Israel assassinated the previous leader, Abbas al-Musawi, in 1992. Hezbollah in its entirety is considered a terrorist organization by The United States, the Netherlands,...
of Hezbollah said "We extend the deepest condolences to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and to the government and people of the Islamic Republic as well as to the relatives of the victims." An Hezbollah statement also said they considered the attack a crime "as part of the arrogant campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran, through terrorist groups and organizations that have been raised by western intelligence, as the latter taught them combat techniques that know no mercy, indiscriminate of age or gender." It added that the group were confident that Iran would overcome such "criminal aggressions, as it should bring the murderous terrorist organizations to an end on one hand, and severs any American-Western attempt to use these criminals in realizing its arrogant targets inside the Islamic Republic." United Kingdom Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt condemns the attack saying "The UK strongly condemns this atrocity. In targetting a busy mosque, the bombers claimed the lives of peaceful worshippers and passers by. Our thoughts are with the families of the 22 people who have lost their lives so far, and the many more injured." United States President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
condemned the "outrageous terrorist attacks" saying "The murder of innocent civilians in their place of worship is an intolerable offense, and those who carried it out must be held accountable. Together, the people of the world must condemn and oppose all forms of terrorism, and support the universal right of human beings to live free from fear and senseless violence." Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
Hillary Clinton issued a statement condemning the terrorist attack and extending sympathy to the families and loved ones of those injured and killed. Clinton also called for the perpetrators of the attack to be held accountable for their actions. She also added that due to the spate of attacks preceding this in Uganda, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Algeria was a reason for "global community's need to work together to combat terrorist organisations that threaten the lives of innocent civilians all around the world." The statement came after Iranian accusations of American support for Jundullah following the arrest of Abdolmalek Rigi and accusations of having kidnapped Shahram Amiri
Shahram Amiri
Shahram Amiri is an Iranian nuclear scientist who disappeared from Iran for a little over a year under disputed circumstances. In the spring of 2009, he disappeared while apparently on pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. About a year later two videos appeared, each purporting to be declarations by...
. During a press briefing at the State Department on , spokesman PJ Crowley came under fire for his confusing messages in relation to condemnation of the bombings and Amiri when a reporter asked about American intentions in regards to "trying to screw someone who screwed you guys."