Iran's top security official condemns terrorist attack in St. Petersburg

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani in a message condemned the Monday suicide blast in a train carriage in St. Petersburg's metro system.

In a message to his Russian counterpart Nikolay Patrushev on Wednesday, Shamkhani extended his condolences to him and the people and government of Russia.

"The savage crimes of the terrorist groups against the innocent civilians show that effective and comprehensive confrontation with these inhuman elements, their intellectual roots and their supporters should stand atop the security priorities of the international community," he said.

Shamkhani also underlined the need for strengthening the strategic cooperation between Iran and Russia in the fight against terrorism, and said, "Certainly, the blind acts of the defeated terrorists cannot damage the firm determination of the countries which are on the frontline of the war on Takfiri terrorism and will surely lead to their tougher actions against them (the terrorist groups)."

His remarks came in reaction to a deadly explosion in St. Petersburg which killed at least 11 people and injured dozens more after an explosion ripped through a subway train traveling between St. Petersburg’s Sennaya Ploshad and Technological Institute stations.

The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman condemned the attack, and reiterated Iran’s calls to form a serious international coalition for battling terrorism.

EA