“The Islamic Republic of Iran always condemns terrorism in any part of the world and stresses the importance of cooperation in countering terrorist groups,” Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Saturday.

He expressed his sympathy with the Nigerian government and nation and the bereaved families of victims over the attack.

At least 57 people were killed and 177 others sustained injuries after two women detonated their explosives at opposite ends of the bustling market in Madagali on Friday.

The chairman of the Madagali local government, Yusuf Muhammed, said on Saturday that 120 children were among those wounded.

Boko Haram Takfiri militants have been blamed for the attack which occurred on the edge of the group’s Sambisa Forest stronghold, which the Nigerian military has been bombing ahead of ground assaults.

The militants have been attacking soft targets since the Nigerian military has dislodged them from towns and villages this year.

Madagali was liberated last year after months in the hands of Boko Haram. It is 150 kilometers southeast of the biggest northeastern city, Maiduguri, which has been the epicenter of Boko Haram’s seven-year insurgency.

The ministry’s spokesman Bahram Qassemi said that Nicholas Hopton, the country’s ambassador to Tehran, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on Saturday.

Speaking at the annual summit of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council in the Bahraini capital of Manama on Wednesday, May said Britain would contribute to counteracting what she called “aggressive regional actions” from Iran, and unveiled plans for a four-billion-dollar military investment in the region for the next 10 years.

Qassemi added that the deputy director general for West Europe affairs at the Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed Tehran’s strong protest at the prime minister’s unwise remarks.

Foreign Ministry official emphasized that May’s “irresponsible, provocative and divisive” comments at the regional annual summit were unacceptable and rejected, Qassemi added.

Iran seriously expects Britain to avoid repeating such unacceptable remarks in the future, he stated, adding that the Iranian official told the British diplomat that such measures are in contradiction with the expansion of relations and would harm Tehran-London ties.

Qassemi further said that the British ambassador was also told that Iran’s regional policy was based on the establishment of peace, stability and security as well as the fight against terrorism.

Hopton, for his part, said London’s policy was to improve relations with Tehran and added that he would immediately inform his country of Iran’s message.

Also on Saturday, Iranian First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri criticized May’s recent remarks against the Islamic Republic and said such statements will only bring humiliation to those making them.

“She was invited (by the PGCC states) to the summit to speak against Iran,” he said, adding that the Islamic Republic is considered a major regional power and they cannot undermine the country by such remarks.

The drill, codenamed “Muhammad Rasulullah-4” (Muhammad, the Messenger of God) kicked off on Sunday morning.

Covering an area of more than 220,000 square kilometers, the war game will last for three days.

Commander of Army Ground Force Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari has announced that units from various forces of the army take part in the exercise.

The Iranian armed forces hold routine military drills throughout the year.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly assured the other nations, especially its neighbors, that its military might poses no threat to other countries, stating that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.

Business Insider has named Iran among 50 places to travel to in 2017, commending the country’s security as a key factor behind attracting more tourists.

The Islamic Republic is considered as one of the safest countries in the Middle East.

Business Insider has foreseen a tourist influx into Iran with more new direct flights operated from European capitals to Tehran.

The country’s tourism sector has already been thriving in the wake of a landmark nuclear deal with the six world powers back in July 2015.

Back in 2014, the country hosted more than 5 million tourists, earning some $7.5 billion in revenue.

Iran aspires to host 20 million tourists annually by 2025, with expectations of expanding the tourist sector to $30 billion.

Iranian authorities have already unveiled sweeping plans including easing visa restrictions as well as constructing new hotels as part of efforts to attract more foreign tourists.

Issuing visas on arrival at the airport for nationals of 190 countries as well as issuing electronic visas are among the initiatives the Iranian officials are mulling in this regard.

Thanks to its ancient architecture, eye-catching mosques, public baths and markets as well as incredible natural beauty, Iran has already been listed as one of the top travel destinations.

The country is home to 21 special sites registered on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

“Today, the military forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have dominance over the Persian Gulf region more than ever,” Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri said in response to recent war rhetoric by some US politicians.

“The military and security conditions of the Persian Gulf region today are such that the enemy’s forces and equipment are fully within the reach of Iran’s armed forces,” he noted.

“If the US warmongers and their stooges make any immature and unprofessional act, they will definitely face the Islamic fighters’ crushing response,” the commander went on to say.

Back in August, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei also cautioned the adversaries that Iran’s response to any assault will not be confined to defense alone, but aggressors will face a crushing response.

In May 2015, Imam Khamenei made it clear that the Iranian nation will not let any possible act of aggression against the country go unanswered.

“The era of hit and run has ended” and the Iranian nation will chase aggressors, the Leader said at the time.