The Socialists & Democrats in the European Parliament condemn in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attacks today in Tehran targeting the Parliament and the shrine of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

S&D Group vice-president Victor Boştinaru MEP said:

“We express our condolences to the families of the victims and solidarity with the Iranian people and demand that the perpetrators and sponsors of these heinous acts are brought to justice. Terrorism is a global threat facing the international community and under no circumstances can it be excused, tolerated, condoned or justified.
 
“Recent weeks have seen a serious escalation of tensions in the Persian Gulf region. S&Ds call on all regional and international actors with influence in the region to act responsibly and avoid further confrontation.”

S&D Group vice-president Elena Valenciano MEP said:

“We therefore reiterate our full support for the efforts of the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, the vice-president of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, to further pursue the engagement with all the regional actors to that end, as reflected in the EU Global Strategy.”