US Slams ‘Despicable’ Bombings Near Iran Embassy

Tehran, Nov 20, IRNA – United States condemned the twin blasts that targeted Iran’s embassy in Beirut Tuesday, describing the attack as “senseless and despicable terrorist bombings.” “The United States strongly condemns today’s senseless and despicable terrorist bombings at the Iranian Embassy in Beirut,” Secretary of State John Kerry said, according to a press statement. Kerry called for restraint from all parties “to avoid inflaming the situation further.” “The United States knows too well the cost of terrorism directed at our own diplomats around the world, and our hearts go out to the Iranian people after this violent and unjustifiable attack claimed the life of at least one of their diplomats,” the US official said. Two suicide bombers attacked Iran’s Embassy in Beirut Tuesday morning, killing at least 25 people including an Iranian diplomat and wounding more than 150, security sources said. The attack, confirmed by Lebanon’s military prosecutor as the work of suicide bombers, was claimed by an Al-Qaeda-linked group and is the latest in a spate of deadly bombings linked to the war in Syria. Kerry called on all parties to cooperate with the government’s investigation into the attack and urged “that those responsible are brought to justice.” “Acts of terror only reinforce our determination to support the institutions of the Lebanese state, including the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces, to ensure a stable, sovereign, and secure Lebanon,” Kerry said./end