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World / Middle East

Iran FM says Trump reaction to attacks 'repugnant'

Published: 08 Jun 2017 - 09:12 am | Last Updated: 08 Nov 2021 - 03:48 pm
ANKARA, TURKEY - JUNE 7: Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif speaks to media upon his arrival at the hotel during his visit for regional issues and bilateral ties with Turkish officials, in Ankara, Turkey on June 7, 2017. ( Emin Sansar - Anadolu Agency )

ANKARA, TURKEY - JUNE 7: Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif speaks to media upon his arrival at the hotel during his visit for regional issues and bilateral ties with Turkish officials, in Ankara, Turkey on June 7, 2017. ( Emin Sansar - Anadolu Agency )

AFP

Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Thursday that US President Donald Trump's reaction to the deadly Islamic State group attacks in Tehran was "repugnant". 

"Repugnant WH (White House) statement... as Iranians counter terror backed by US clients," Zarif tweeted.

He was responding to Trump's comment that "states that sponsor terrorism risk falling victim to the evil they promote".

Thirteen people were killed and more than 40 wounded in the attacks on Tehran's parliament complex and the shrine of revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the first claimed by IS in Iran. 

Trump has long accused Iran of backing terrorism and has threatened to tear up a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers. 

Even as Washington expressed its condolences on Wednesday, the US Senate advanced legislation that would impose new sanctions on Iran, partly for what the bill described as the Iranian regime's "support for acts of international terrorism".

Trump's comments also brought criticism from Iranians on social media, who recalled their government's offers of support and the candlelight vigils held in Iran after the attacks of September 11, 2001.