Iranian FM spokesman condemns Istanbul terrorist attacks

The Iranian Foreign Ministry deplored the Tuesday terrorist attack at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport which killed 36 people and injured more than 140 others.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran extends its condolences to the friendly and brotherly Turkish government and nation over the inhumane crime which killed and injured a large number of innocent people and sympathizes with the bereaved families," Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Wednesday.

Stressing that extremism and terrorism aren’t limited to specific borders and nationalities, he called for collective efforts to fight against the ominous and dangerous phenomena.

Qassemi also reiterated Iran's preparedness to cooperate with the regional states to uproot terrorism and extremism.

Gun and bomb attacks on Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport killed 36 people and injured more than 140 others late Tuesday.

Three attackers began shooting outside and inside the terminal late on Tuesday and blew themselves up after police fired at them, officials say.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said early signs suggested the Daesh was behind the attack.

Pictures from the airport terminal showed bodies covered in sheets, with glass and abandoned luggage littering the building. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack should serve as a turning point in the global fight against militant groups.

"The bombs that exploded in Istanbul today could have gone off at any airport in any city around the world," he said.

EA