US condemns bombing of Iranian mosque, sends condolences to victims

US condemns bombing of Iranian mosque

WASHINGTON — The United States condemned an attack on a mosque in southeastern Iran that killed 25 people. Iran had blamed Israel and the U.S. for the Friday bombing.

Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, expressed strong condemnation and said: “The American people send their deepest condolences to the victims and their families. No cause justifies terrorism, and the United States condemns it in any form, in any country, against any people.”

At the State Department, spokesman Ian Kelly noted that the target of the attacks served Muslims of Iran’s Shiite majority and coupled it with recent violence against Shiite mosques elsewhere.

“We note with concern a recent trend of bombings of Shia mosques in Iraq and Pakistan, as well as in Iran, and strongly condemn any kind of sectarian-driven violence,” Kelly said.

Asked about the Iranian accusation of U.S. complicity in the attack, Kelly said: “We do not sponsor any form of terrorism anywhere in the world. Never have, never will.”