Iran Untouchable No More

In a world dominated by terror attacks throughout the globe, one Middle Eastern Nation has remained relatively unscathed. That nation would be Iran, but after this morning that may be changing.

Beginning at 10:30 and 11 AM, extremists entered both the Parliament building and the Tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini. There were six attackers in total, five men and one woman, who entered dressed as women carrying grenades and assault rifles.

Four extremists entered the Parliament building through the main entrance at 10:30. The building is currently under renovation to update the security, but these renovations have not been completed. The attack lasted for several hours, and at one point one of the jihadists was able to leave the building and shoot the street and the surrounding area before returning.

Their goal was to take out the employees and then enter the main chamber, but the security was able to divert them at the main entrance so, according to the editor of the Tehran Times, they instead went into the offices in the adjacent buildings. The four who entered the building were all eventually killed in the end, but not before they took 11 lives and kidnapped a few others.

The attack on the mausoleum, however, did not seem to be as organized. They two terrorists entered the building through the West Wing at 11 AM, but the attack only lasted an hour and a half. Statements from those on the scene said that they entered and shot blindly as if they were without a clear target. Once this attack ended both were killed, and only one life was taken. One of the attackers blew himself up, while the other was reported to take a cyanide pill, whereas security personnel said he was shot.

In addition to the 12 that were killed, another 42 people were injured. This is the worst attack that Iran has faced in years. Shortly after the attack, ISIS claimed it as their own which would ake it their first successful attack on Iran, if the claims are to be proven true. Iran though believes that another identity is the responsible target.

Once they were calm and collected themselves they lashed out at the United States and Saudi Arabia through this statement:

“The public opinion of the world, especially Iran, recognizes this terrorist attack — which took place a week after a joint meeting of the U.S. president and the head of one of the region’s backward governments, which constantly supports fundamentalist terrorists — as very significant.”

They claim that they are actually the ones who can benefit the world, while the Saudi Arabians are the ones aiding terrorists. Analyst Hamidreza Taraghai strongly backed this belief in his quote, “ISIS ideologically, financially and logistically is fully supported and sponsored by Saudi Arabia — they are one and the same”

Since Trump assisted five Arab nations in vowing to isolate Qatar, tensions in the Middle East have been at an all-time high. The call to isolate Qatar came soon after the United States also asked Saudi Arabia to isolate Iran, which at the time, they believed to be rhetoric that would help Trump strike a weapons deal with the Saudi Arabians.

Now, the United States finds themselves in the middle of a Middle Eastern dispute being spearheaded by the Iranians and Saudi Arabians, the leaders of the Sunni Muslims and Shiite Muslims. Iran claims that this attack was a message from the Saudi Arabians aimed at striking fear. Saudi Arabia has yet to respond to these claims, but as time goes on, it will most likely not bode well for Middle Eastern relations.

The community within Iran has been linked together by these attacks, which is often seen throughout the world. According to a statement released on Ayatollah Khamenei (the leader of Iran), the nation has continued to move forward, and this will not shake their will.

Others have emphasized this point, such as photographer Mohammed Abasi who said, “Naturally, for a few hours a terrorist attack like this leaves a shock — our countrymen were killed, and this was a terrorist attack. But I already see that it is uniting Iranians — there is a sense of fight.” The nation is not backing down from this challenge and appears ready to face it head on.

This will be very important as the implications that this has for ISIS could benefit them greatly. To begin with, it is a sign of strength in a period of weakness. ISIS has suffered monumental losses in both Mosul and Raqqa, which had made it seem as if the beginning of the end was imminent. With this attack on Iran though, it may just give them the boost of life that they so desperately needed. The security in Iran was able to fend them off for so long, but this attack may be able to prove to others that their cause is still powerful. It also proves that they are able to attack whoever they please.

Although things seem bleak for ISIS, they may have a jolt of energy that will prolong their life just a few months longer.

Featured Image via Wikimedia