New York, IRNA – The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Shah Cheragh shrine in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz.
In a Statement on Wednesday, the members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, wishing a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.
“The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack on innocent people and pilgrims at the Shah Cheragh shrine in Shiraz, Iran, on 13 August,” the statement read.
They also reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.
“The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice,” added the statement.
They urged all states, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with Iran’s government, as well as all other relevant authorities in this regard.
“The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.”
On Sunday evening, a terrorist went on a shooting spree at the Shah Cheragh holy shrine in the southern Iranian province of Fars, killing two people and injuring several others.
In addition to the terrorist, Iran has arrested several suspects linked to the incident, saying that they are all of foreign origin.
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Linda Thomas-Greenfield (United States):
The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack on innocent people and pilgrims at the Shah-e-Cheragh shrine in Shiraz, Iran, on 13 August. The attack was claimed by ISIL/Da’esh and resulted in the loss of lives of two Iranians and the injury of eight innocent people.
The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.
The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice. They urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as all other relevant authorities in this regard.
The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
Following the terrorist attack, Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Amir Saeed Iravani has sent a letter to the to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres:
Excellency,
With deep sadness and sorrow, I would like to inform you of yet another tragic terrorist attack on my Country. This recent act of terrorism, the second in tenth months, targeted innocent civilians and pilgrims visiting the revered Shah-e-Cheragh shrine in Shiraz. On 13 August 2023, one assailant launched a malevolent assault at the Bab al-Mahdi Gate, a hallowed entryway to the sacred shrine. The perpetrator coldheartedly unleashed a barrage of gunfire upon the innocent people within the sanctuary’s precincts, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of eight innocent Iranian people, some of whom remain in critical health condition. Immediately after this deadly assault, Daesh, an international terrorist organization, claimed responsibility for this reprehensible act. The Iranian security forces intervened quickly and decisively, resulting in the immediate arrest of the main assailant responsible for the indiscriminate gunfire inside the shrine, who, according to preliminary information, is a Tajik national named ‘Rahmatollah Norozov’. Subsequently, a preliminary investigation and a comprehensive search operation carried out by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry have led to the apprehension of ten people connected to this grave act of terror. All ten of these apprehended suspects are foreign nationals.
Tragically, the Shah Cheragh shrine has been a target of such horrifying violence before. A mere year ago, on October 26, 2022, armed terrorists from the very same Daesh organization stormed the sanctuary, resulting in the heartrending martyrdom of 15 pilgrims, including women and children, and the injury of 30 others. In a letter dated 4 November 2022, addressed to Your Excellency and the President of the Security Council (A/77/581-S/2022/831), Iran strongly condemned the tragic terrorist attacks in Shiraz and called on the Security Council for condemnation. However, it is disheartening that the Security Council has chosen to remain silent in the face of this grievous incident. This silence is both disappointing and unacceptable, particularly considering the Security Council’s consistent recognition and reaffirmation of terrorism as a grave threat to international peace and security through its resolutions.
The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns such abhorrent and atrocious acts of terrorism and underscores its unwavering commitment to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and held accountable. In the meantime, the Islamic Republic of Iran calls on the Security Council to condemn this heinous act unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms, in line with its commitment to combatting terrorism and upholding international peace and security.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, which has directly suffered the catastrophic consequences of terrorism, remains steadfast in its unwavering commitment to spearheading the fight against this scourge. Our resolve is to protect the illustrious and noble people of Iran and to safeguard the security of neighboring nations from the perils posed by such malevolent terrorist groups.
I would be grateful if you would circulate the present letter as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda items 112 and 121, and of the Security Council.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
