Iranian Catholic priest: 'terrorists will not succeed in frightening our people'

Chaldean cross

Source: Fides/Philippines Bishops Conference

Christians and Muslims in Iran will always be united in defending the principles of their faith - that was the message of a Catholic priest in Tehran, after IS/Daesh terrorists stormed the parliament building and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini on Wednesday killing at least 17 people and injuring dozens more.

"As an Iranian Assyrian Chaldean Catholic priest, I am saddened by such inhumane acts, mostly accomplished by people who present themselves faithful to God and Islam, and therefore spread a false image of faith and religion," Fr Hormoz Aslani Babroudi, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Society in Iran, told Fides.

"But the perpetrators of the massacres do not know that these acts will fail to spread fear among the people or weaken the State. So many have tried to do it before them, and they did not succeed, and they will not succeed this time and in the future. Because Iranian Muslim and Christian people will always be united in defending the principles of their faith and their Country."

Fr Hormoz also expressed his condolences to "Spiritual Guide, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and President Hassan Rouhani", and said he felt close to the families of the victims. "I will pray for the souls of those who have lost their lives, for the comfort of their family members and also of all the wounded," he said.

On Wednesday, June 7, in the double terror attack claimed by the Islamic State (Daesh), armed men entered the parliament, while another commando opened fire on pilgrims at the mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic. Iranian authorities claim to have blocked a third attack, and at least five among the attackers had in the past been part of Daesh's militias, active in Mosul and Raqqa. In addition to the 17 victims, more than fifty people were injured, of whom at least six are still in severe condition.

Iran's foreign Minister has rejected Donald Trump's condolences for the deadly attacks in Tehran, calling the US president's words "repugnant". Trump had said he prayed for the victims of Wednesday's attacks, but added that "states that sponsor terrorism risk falling victim to the evil they promote."