Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi expressed condolences to the Iraqi government and nation and the families of victims of the attack in Ain al-Tamur District, which is 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the holy city of Karbala, a major pilgrimage destination for Shiite Muslims.
The new assault by Takfiri terrorists against defenseless civilians marks yet another shameful act in the dark record of terrorists in the region, he deplored.
Qassemi further reiterated Iran’s support for Iraq in the fight against terrorism.
Monday’s attack in Ain al-Tamur involved six suicide bombers, some of whom were killed by Iraqi security forces before taking the time to blow themselves up.
Masum al-Tamimi, a member of the Karbala provincial council, said that six suicide bombers armed with light weapons as well as explosives tried to infiltrate Ain al-Tamur early on Monday, but they clashed with security forces before withdrawing to the al-Jihad area and detonating explosives there.
The official put the death toll at eight, a figure confirmed by a doctor.
Iraq’s Interior Ministry issued a statement on the attack, saying five of the bombers were killed by security forces while the sixth detonated explosives inside a house.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group frequently carries out such suicide bombings in Iraq.
The attack came as hundreds of thousands of Shiite Muslims walk to Karbala in commemoration of Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
Each year, millions of Muslims flock to Karbala to mark Arbaeen, which comes 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein.
This year, Arbaeen falls on November 20.
