Police officers run to take position around Iran’s parliament building after an assault of several attackers, in Tehran. State TV reports several attackers stormed into Iran’s parliament and a suicide bomber targeted the shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on Wednesday, killing a security guard and wounding 12 other people in rare twin attacks. Ali Khara/AP hide caption
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Ali Khara/AP
Police officers run to take position around Iran’s parliament building after an assault of several attackers, in Tehran. State TV reports several attackers stormed into Iran’s parliament and a suicide bomber targeted the shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on Wednesday, killing a security guard and wounding 12 other people in rare twin attacks.
Ali Khara/AP
Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reports that two teams of attackers struck the parliament and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini in Tehran Wednesday.
The broadcaster reports that the Intelligence Ministry says it foiled a third attack and is asking people to avoid public transportation.
IRIB says that one of four attackers exploded a suicide vest inside the parliament building, though other local news agencies said the explosion may have been caused by grenades thrown by the attackers. Eight people are reported wounded in the attack.
Police take security measures and people wait near the scene after gunmen opened fire at Iran’s parliament and the shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini in the capital Tehran, Wednesday. Anadolu Agency/Getty Images hide caption
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Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Police take security measures and people wait near the scene after gunmen opened fire at Iran’s parliament and the shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini in the capital Tehran, Wednesday.
Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
The second attack, at the shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, reportedly killed a security guard and wounded 12 other people. A suicide bomber also detonated an explosive vest at the Khomeini mausoleum. Four attackers were said to have launched the attack at the shrine.
NPR’s Alison Meuse in Beirut reports that Islamic State, via its Amaq news agency, claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Alison translates: “Fighters from the Islamic State have attacked the Khomeini shrine and the parliament building in central Tehran.”
The report quotes an ISIS “security source,” which Alison says is typical.
Iran is deeply involved in the fight against ISIS, both in Iraq and Syria, and together with Russia is a major backer of the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.