Iran Condemns Terrorist Bombings in Baghdad

In a statement on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi expressed condolences to the Iraqi government and nation over the “painful tragedy” of deaths of people in the nighttime and early morning bombings in Baghdad.

Slamming the “criminal” strikes in the holy month of Ramadan as a clear sign of Takfiri terrorists’ ingrained hostility toward true Islam and Muslims, the Iranian diplomat described the fatal bombings in Baghdad as part of last-ditch attempts by terrorists to escape defeat in Iraq.

Ultimate victory against terrorism in Iraq is approaching, Qassemi added, expressing the hope that the entire country would get rid of Takfiri terrorists in light of the Iraqi army’s recent gains in the city of Mosul.

On late Monday, a terrorist attack outside an ice cream parlor in Baghdad’s Karrada neighborhood killed 17 people and wounded 32, police and health officials said.

In the second attack on Tuesday morning, an explosives-laden car went off during rush hour near the state-run Public Pension Office in Baghdad's busy Shawaka area, killing 14. At least 37 people were wounded in that attack, a police officer said.

In separate online statements, Daesh claimed responsibility for the two attacks, saying its suicide bombers targeted gatherings of Shiites.

The attacks come as Daesh terrorists are steadily losing more territory to Iraqi forces in the battle for Mosul, the country's second-largest city.

Ramadan is often marked by a surge of violence in Iraq.

Last July, towards the end of the holy month, Daesh used a big truck bomb at a busy Karrada market packed with people shopping after sunset and preparing for Eid al-Fitr celebration.

Close to 300 people were killed in that attack, which marked the single deadliest event in Baghdad since Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003.