Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Rahim Mehmanparast.—Reuters Photo

TEHRAN: Iran was quick on Saturday to express condolences after the “tragic” shooting rampage that left 26 people dead, including 20 small children, at an elementary school in the United States.

Foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast condemned the “tragic incident” and expressed sympathy with the families of the victims, the state broadcaster’s website IRIB reported.

He also called on American society to mobilise against “warmongering and the massacre of innocent people anywhere, through terrorism, whether state-sponsored or not.”

“There is no difference between children and teenagers who fall victim to armed actions, whether it be inside Gaza, the US, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq or Syria,” Mehmanparast said in a statement.

The massacre on Friday inside the school in Newtown, Connecticut has provoked shock and sympathy around the globe.

Iran and the United States have had no diplomatic relations for over three decades. The two arch-foes regularly accuse each other of supporting terrorist groups in the Middle East.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...