12 dead, dozens injured as duel terror attacks rock Iranian capital

Islamic Extremism

Police officers control the scene, around of shrine of late Iranian revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, after an assault by several attackers in Tehran, just outside Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Suicide bombers and gunmen stormed into Iran’s parliament and targeted the shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on Wednesday, killing a security guard and wounding several other people in rare twin attacks, with the siege at the legislature still underway. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

In Iran a terror attack at the heart of the nation has killed 12 and wounded dozens.

Attackers launched assaults on the Parliament and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini.

Authorities said they’ve detained five suspects related to the dual attacks.

CGTN’s Jim Spellman reports.

Initial reports from Iranian authorities said at least four attackers struck parliament, perhaps dressed as women to evade security. Another two militants reportedly attacked the mausoleum as part of a twin assault.

Security forces shot and killed the attackers who didn’t die in the blasts.

ISIL claimed credit for the attack on its social media channels and the group released video from inside parliament, threatening more attacks.

Terrorist attacks inside Iran are rare but ISIL and other Sunni terrorist groups have long threatened the Shia stronghold of Iran. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard released a statement linking the attack to Saudi Arabia and the United States, but Saudi officials deny any involvement.