Police increase patrols in Teheran after a pair of stunning assaults

TEHERAN - Police increased their patrols in the streets and subway stations of Teheran on Thursday, a day after a pair of stunning Islamic State-claimed attacks on Iran's parliament and the tomb of its revolutionary leader killed at least 16 people and wounded more than 40.

Commuters in the Iranian capital noticed police on street corners and motorcycles, more than usual as dawn broke. That came after Mohammad Hossein Zolfaghari, a deputy Interior Minister, told state TV that "law enforcement activities may increase".

State television also reported on Thursday that the death toll in the attacks had risen to 16 people killed, citing Ahmad Shojaei, the head of the country's forensic center.

China strongly condemned the twin terrorist attacks, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Thursday.

"We extend our condolences to the victims and express our sympathy to the wounded and the relatives of the victims," Hua said.

Stressing that China opposes terrorism in any form, she said Beijing is willing to cooperate more with the international community to fight terrorism.

The attack on Wednesday as lawmakers held a session in parliament and at the shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini shocked Iranians who so far had avoided the bloodshed that has followed the IS group's rise in Syria and Iraq.

The bloodshed shocked the country and came as emboldened Sunni Arab states backed by US President Donald Trump are hardening their stance against Shiite-ruled Iran.

The White House released a statement from Trump condemning the terrorist attacks in Teheran and offering condolences, but also implying that Iran is itself a sponsor of terrorism.

"We grieve and pray for the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks in Iran, and for the Iranian people, who are going through such challenging times," the statement said. "We underscore that states that sponsor terrorism risk falling victim to the evil they promote."

'Repugnant' claims

The comments sparked anger from Iranians on social media, who recalled the vigils in Teheran that followed the Sept 11 attacks. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a tweet on Thursday called the White House comments "repugnant" and accused the US of supporting terror.

"Iranian people reject such US claims of friendship," Zarif tweeted.

Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard indirectly blamed Saudi Arabia for the attacks. A statement issued on Wednesday stopped short of alleging direct Saudi involvement but called it "meaningful" that the attacks followed Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, where he strongly asserted Washington's support for Riyadh.

Ap - Xinhua

(China Daily 06/09/2017 page11)