“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the terrorist attack today on the Shah Cheragh Holy Shrine in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran, for which the so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility,” Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said in a statement. ”Such acts targeting religious sites are especially heinous. The Secretary-General stresses the need to bring to justice the perpetrators of this crime against civilians exercising their right to practice their religion.” 

“The Secretary-General conveys his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He wishes a speedy recovery to the injured,” Dujarric added.

On Wednesday, at least 15 people were killed in a mass shooting at the Shah Cheragh mausoleum.

The three attackers are described by Iranian state media as apparently being “takfiri terrorists.”

Two attackers have been arrested; the other is at large. The Iranian authorities claimed that the attackers were not Iranian nationals.

Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency stated that children are among the dead. (ILKHA)