Ahvaz military parade attack

The parade was part of an annual commemoration known as the Sacred Defence Week commemorating the start of the Iran–Iraq War in 1980. It included the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps marching along Quds Boulevard in Ahvaz.{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/iran-summons-western-diplomats-over-parade-attack-killing-25-20180923-p505im.html|title=Iran summons Western diplomats over parade attack killing 25|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=23 September 2018|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=23 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923081250/https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/iran-summons-western-diplomats-over-parade-attack-killing-25-20180923-p505im.html|url-status=live}} Five gunmen began shooting at the parade from a nearby park on 22 September 2018 at 09:00 local time, wearing military uniforms and disguised as Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and Basiji (volunteers);{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/22/middleeast/iran-attack-parade-intl/index.html|title=29 killed in attack on Iranian military parade|author1=Hilary Clarke|author2=Hamdi Alkhshali|author3=Jennifer Hauser|work=CNN|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=22 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922232059/https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/22/middleeast/iran-attack-parade-intl/index.html|url-status=live}} they also targeted a viewing stand and civilian bystanders.{{cite news |title=Iran military parade attacked by gunmen in Ahvaz |work=BBC News |date=22 September 2018 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-45611411 |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225005229/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-45611411%20 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Terrorists Attack Crowd of Bystanders in Military Parades in Southwestern Iran |url=http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970631000176 |website=Farsnews (English) |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922133803/http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970631000176 |archive-date=22 September 2018 }} The attack lasted about ten minutes.

The attackers killed 25 people, including 12 soldiers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a four-year-old boy, with 70 others left wounded, including children.{{Cite news|url=https://www.letelegramme.fr/monde/iran-20-blesses-dans-l-attentat-contre-un-defile-militaire-22-09-2018-12086037.php|title=Iran. Au moins 29 morts dans l'attentat contre un défilé militaire|work=Le Télégramme|access-date=22 September 2018|language=fr|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225005243/https://www.letelegramme.fr/monde/iran-20-blesses-dans-l-attentat-contre-un-defile-militaire-22-09-2018-12086037.php|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2018/09/22/Casualties-as-army-parade-attacked-in-south-Iran.html|title=29 killed, 60 injured in Iran military parade attack on Revolutionary Guards|website=Al Arabiya English|date=22 September 2018|language=en|access-date=22 September 2018|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225005241/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2018/09/22/Casualties-as-army-parade-attacked-in-south-Iran.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/09/22/middleeast/iran-attack-parade-intl/index.html|title=29 killed in attack on Iranian military parade|author1=Hilary Clarke|author2=Hamdi Alkhshali|author3=Jennifer Hauser|work=CNN|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225005216/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/09/22/middleeast/iran-attack-parade-intl/index.html|url-status=live}} Many were taken to hospital in critical condition.{{cite news |title=At Least 24 Killed in Attack on Military Parade in Iran |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/22/world/middleeast/iran-military-parade-attack.html |website=The New York Times |date=22 September 2018 |access-date=22 September 2018 |last1=Pérez-Peña |first1=Richard |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225005227/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/22/world/middleeast/iran-military-parade-attack.html%20 |url-status=live }} However, according to CNN, at least 29 people died in the Ahvaz military parade attack.{{Cite web |url= https://edition.cnn.com/2018/09/22/middleeast/iran-attack-parade-intl/index.html |title= 29 killed in attack on Iranian military parade. |date= 22 September 2018 |access-date= 23 September 2018 |archive-date= 25 December 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181225005216/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/09/22/middleeast/iran-attack-parade-intl/index.html |url-status= live }}

Initial reports conflicted; Iranian state media said all four assailants had been killed, while local deputy governor Ali Hosein Hoseinzadeh said two were arrested. According to senior spokesman Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, senior spokesman for Iran's armed forces, "All four terrorists were quickly neutralised by security forces".{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-military-attack/several-killed-as-gunmen-attack-military-parade-in-iran-state-tv-idUSKCN1M2080|title=Iran's Khamenei blames Persian Gulf Arab states for military parade attack|publisher=Reuters|first=Michael|last=Georgy|date=22 September 2018|access-date=22 September 2018|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225005227/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-military-attack/several-killed-as-gunmen-attack-military-parade-in-iran-state-tv-idUSKCN1M2080|url-status=live}} Iran news agency's reports showed that three out of the four assailants were shot dead during the attack whereas the fourth died shortly later in the hospital, according to The Guardian.{{Cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/22/elite-iranian-soldiers-killed-in-attack-on-military-parade-revolutionary-guard-ahvaz |title= Terrorists kill Iranian children and soldiers in military parade attack. |newspaper= The Guardian |date= 22 September 2018 |last1= Dehghan |first1= Saeed Kamali |access-date= 23 September 2018 |archive-date= 25 December 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181225005240/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/22/elite-iranian-soldiers-killed-in-attack-on-military-parade-revolutionary-guard-ahvaz+ |url-status= live }} In a subsequent report, Fars News Agency said a fifth assailant was also killed but was initially mixed up with the victims.{{cite news |first1=Phil |last1=Stewart |first2=Bozorgmehr |last2=Sharafedin |date=24 September 2018 |title=Mattis dismisses Iran's revenge threat as tensions climb after attack |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-military-attacks/iran-warns-u-s-and-israel-of-revenge-after-parade-attack-mattis-dismisses-threat-idUSKCN1M40JN |work=Reuters |access-date=24 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225005225/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-military-attacks/iran-warns-u-s-and-israel-of-revenge-after-parade-attack-mattis-dismisses-threat-idUSKCN1M40JN |url-status=live }}

Iranian state media initially reported that "takfiri gunmen" executed the assault.{{cite web |title=State TV: Gunmen attack military parade in Iran's Ahvaz |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/state-tv-gunmen-attack-military-parade-iran-ahvaz-180922061107370.html |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225005224/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/state-tv-gunmen-attack-military-parade-iran-ahvaz-180922061107370.html?xif= |url-status=live }}

Two groups claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack, including Arab separatist militant group the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz (ASMLA) and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).{{citation|title=Chronology: Iran|url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/721759|url-access=subscription|journal=The Middle East Journal|volume=73|issue=1|pages=122–124|date=Spring 2019|publisher=Middle East Institute|location=Washington DC|issn=0026-3141|access-date=12 November 2020|archive-date=30 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730072701/https://muse.jhu.edu/article/721759|url-status=live}} ASMLA then decided to deny responsibility for the attack.{{citation|first=Nicholas A.|last=Heras|title=Iran's High Value Target in Europe—Habib Jaber al-Ka'abi|url=https://jamestown.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/May-2019_MLM.pdf|journal=Militant Leadership Monitor|publisher=The Jamestown Foundation|volume=X|issue=5|date=May 2019|pages=4–6|access-date=12 November 2020|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112193106/https://jamestown.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/May-2019_MLM.pdf|url-status=live}}{{citation|first=Saeed|last=Kamali Dehghan|title=Three held in Denmark over interview praising terrorist attack in Iran|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/07/denmark-arrests-interview-praising-terrorist-attack-iran-asmla|date=7 November 2018|access-date=20 November 2020|work=The Guardian|archive-date=28 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128094922/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/07/denmark-arrests-interview-praising-terrorist-attack-iran-asmla|url-status=live}}

22 September

The claim of responsibility was first made through Iran International TV by Yaqoub al-Tostari, the spokesperson for the ASMLA who spoke to the television on air, on the same day.{{citation|first1=Aresu|last1=Eqbali|first2=Sune Engel|last2=Rasmussen|title=Separatists Launch Deadly Attack on Iranian Military Parade|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/gunmen-kill-at-least-20-in-separatist-attack-on-iranian-military-parade-1537623891|date=22 September 2018|access-date=17 July 2020|work=The Wall Street Journal|url-access=subscription|archive-date=28 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128181549/https://www.wsj.com/articles/gunmen-kill-at-least-20-in-separatist-attack-on-iranian-military-parade-1537623891|url-status=live}}{{citation|title=Iran's troubles are mounting at home and abroad|url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2018/09/27/irans-troubles-are-mounting-at-home-and-abroad|date=27 September 2018|access-date=17 July 2020|newspaper=The Economist|url-access=subscription|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112195043/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2018/09/27/irans-troubles-are-mounting-at-home-and-abroad|url-status=live}} He said the attack was conducted "because of the establishment's tyranny against Ahvazis". Al-Tostari also told Reuters that 'Ahvaz National Resistance' (ANR), which he described as an umbrella organization of all armed movements, was behind the attack.{{citation|first1=Bozorgmehr|last1=Sharafedin|first2=Maha|last2=El Dahan|title=Anti-government Arab group claims responsibility for attack on Iran military parade|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/iran-military-attack-responsibility/anti-government-arab-group-claims-responsibility-for-attack-on-iran-military-parade-idUSD5N1W400K|work=Reuters|date=22 September 2018|access-date=12 November 2020|archive-date=3 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103112828/https://www.reuters.com/article/iran-military-attack-responsibility/anti-government-arab-group-claims-responsibility-for-attack-on-iran-military-parade-idUSD5N1W400K|url-status=live}} ANR is identified as a name used by the ASMLA.{{citation|first=Chris|last=Zambelis|title=The Struggle for Arabistan: Tensions and Militancy in Iran's Khuzestan Province|url=https://jamestown.org/program/the-struggle-for-arabistan-tensions-and-militancy-in-irans-khuzestan-province/|journal=Terrorism Monitor|volume=12|issue=2|date=23 January 2014|publisher=The Jamestown Foundation|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119204717/https://jamestown.org/program/the-struggle-for-arabistan-tensions-and-militancy-in-irans-khuzestan-province/|url-status=live}} Habib Jaber al-Ka'abi, an ASMLA leader based in Denmark, tweeted in support for the attack and said it was against a "legitimate target".

Amaq News Agency claimed that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was responsible and posted videos of three men discussing the upcoming attack. Two spoke Arabic and one spoke Persian.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-military-attack-video/islamic-states-amaq-agency-posts-video-of-men-allegedly-involved-iran-attack-idUSKCN1M30SM|title=Islamic state's Amaq agency posts video of men allegedly involved Iran attack|work=Reuters|access-date=24 September 2018|archive-date=24 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324114042/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-military-attack-video/islamic-states-amaq-agency-posts-video-of-men-allegedly-involved-iran-attack-idUSKCN1M30SM|url-status=live}}

Following the claim by ISIL, Yaqoub al-Tostari who spoke with Al Arabiya television as the ASMLA spokesperson said the ISIL involvement is false, adding that "The commando operation was carried out by the Ahzavi resistance movement. Civilians were killed as a result of indiscriminate gunfire from Iranian security forces", as quoted by BBC Monitoring on 22 September 2018 at 16:17 (GMT).{{citation|title=Saudi official news agency silent on Iran Ahvaz attack |work=BBC Monitoring Middle East |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2110543857 |url-access=subscription |date=22 September 2018|id={{ProQuest|2110543857}} |via=ProQuest}}

23 September

A statement on the ASMLA website on 23 September denied responsibility for the attack, saying that the claim was made by a "group that was expelled from the organization since 2015".{{cite news|url=https://www.hln.be/nieuws/buitenland/beschuldigde-iraanse-oppositiegroep-uit-den-haag-wij-pleegden-aanslag-niet~aed92935/|title=Beschuldigde Iraanse oppositiegroep uit Den Haag: "Wij pleegden aanslag niet"|newspaper=Het Laatste Nieuws|agency=Algemeen Dagblad|date=23 September 2018|access-date=23 September 2018|language=nl|archive-date=25 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025064714/https://www.hln.be/nieuws/buitenland/beschuldigde-iraanse-oppositiegroep-uit-den-haag-wij-pleegden-aanslag-niet~aed92935/|url-status=live}} The denial happened after Iranian foreign ministry summoned the ambassadors of Denmark and the Netherlands in Tehran and protested them for hosting ASMLA.{{citation|title=Khamenei appears to point finger at IS for Ahvaz attack|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/09/iran-ahvaz-terrorist-attack-khamenei-response-arab-separatis.html|work=Al-Monitor|date=25 September 2018|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=23 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123225828/https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/09/iran-ahvaz-terrorist-attack-khamenei-response-arab-separatis.html|url-status=live}}

26 September

On 26 September, ISIL's Al Furqan Media Foundation, which publishes official announcements from ISIL leaders, published an audio statement titled "The Muwahhidin's Assault on the Tower of the Mushrikin" from spokesman Abul-Hasan Al-Muhajir, which claimed "A group of men of the Khilafah and guardians of the creed in the land of Persia have pounced in defense of the religion, acting to deter and suppress their enemy and to fulfill the Islamic State's promise to all who have the blood of Ahlus Sunnah on their hands."{{cite web |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/09/islamic-state-spokesman-touts-attack-in-ahvaz-iran.php |title=Islamic State spokesman touts attack in Ahvaz, Iran |publisher=The Long War Journal |date=September 26, 2018 |access-date=29 September 2018 |archive-date=29 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929161510/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/09/islamic-state-spokesman-touts-attack-in-ahvaz-iran.php |url-status=live }}{{Disputed inline|ISIL propaganda|for=undue weight, unreliable sourcing|date=September 2018}}

27 September

On 27 September, ISIL's newspaper al-Naba released what it claimed were photos of the five masked attackers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilmattino.it/primopiano/esteri/lo_stato_islamico_pubblica_la_foto_terroristi_di_ahvaz-4004001.html|title=Lo Stato Islamico pubblica la foto dei terroristi di Ahvaz: "Siamo stati noi"|website=www.ilmattino.it|date=28 September 2018|access-date=30 September 2018|archive-date=30 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930193400/https://www.ilmattino.it/primopiano/esteri/lo_stato_islamico_pubblica_la_foto_terroristi_di_ahvaz-4004001.html|url-status=live}}

The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, wrote on his website: "This crime is a continuation of the plots of the regional states that are puppets of the United States, and their goal is to create insecurity in our dear country." He also called on security forces to bring those responsible to justice. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked the governments of the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Denmark to "condemn the attack and extradite people linked to it to Iran to be put on trial." British ambassador to Iran Rob Macaire condemned the attack and sent his nation's condolences to the victims' families.

On 23 September, the Iranian ministry summoned the United Arab Emirates' chargé d'affaires in Iran over a tweet made by Emirati professor Abdulkhaleq Abdulla about the attack which said: "A military attack against a military target is not a terrorist act and moving the battle to the Iranian side is a declared option".{{cite web | author=The New York Times | title=Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Humiliated by Attack, Vow to Retaliate | website=The New York Times | date=24 September 2018 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/24/world/middleeast/iran-attack-military-parade.html | access-date=24 September 2018 | archive-date=2 May 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502163424/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/24/world/middleeast/iran-attack-military-parade.html | url-status=live }} Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said that Abdulla's comments were "irresponsible and thoughtless" and "could hold Abu Dhabi accountable".{{cite web | title=Iran Summons UAE Charge D'Affaires over Adviser's Remarks | website=Tasnim News Agency | date=23 September 2018 | url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2018/09/23/1835170/iran-summons-uae-charge-d-affaires-over-adviser-s-remarks | access-date=24 September 2018 | archive-date=24 September 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924224835/https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2018/09/23/1835170/iran-summons-uae-charge-d-affaires-over-adviser-s-remarks | url-status=live }} Khamenei alleged that the people responsible for the attack were paid by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.{{cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Phil |last2=Sharafedin |first2=Bozorgmehr |date=24 September 2018 |title=Mattis dismisses Iran's revenge threat as tensions climb after attack |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-military-attacks/mattis-dismisses-irans-revenge-threat-as-tensions-climb-after-attack-idUSKCN1M40JN |work=Reuters |access-date=24 September 2018 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327012234/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-military-attacks/mattis-dismisses-irans-revenge-threat-as-tensions-climb-after-attack-idUSKCN1M40JN |url-status=live }} The UAE has denied Iranian allegations that it had any links with the attack.{{cite news |date=23 September 2018 |title=UAE denies Iranian allegations of links to military parade attackers |url=https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/UAE-denies-Iranian-allegations-of-links-to-military-parade-attackers-567811 |via=Reuters |access-date=24 September 2018 |archive-date=2 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202042258/https://www.jpost.com//Breaking-News/UAE-denies-Iranian-allegations-of-links-to-military-parade-attackers-567811 |url-status=live }}

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he was horrified and presented his condolences, while the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the attack and warned those who finance terrorism in the region.{{cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/proche-orient/article/2018/09/22/attaque-terroriste-en-iran-le-president-rohani-promet-une-reponse-terrible_5358828_3218.html|title=Attaque terroriste en Iran: le président Rohani accuse des " pays mercenaires " du Golfe et les Etats-Unis|newspaper=Le Monde|access-date=23 September 2018|language=fr|archive-date=29 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129113929/https://www.lemonde.fr/proche-orient/article/2018/09/22/attaque-terroriste-en-iran-le-president-rohani-promet-une-reponse-terrible_5358828_3218.html|url-status=live}} Pakistan also condemned the attack through their foreign office's spokesman Mohammad Faisal.{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1434479|title=Pakistan condemns attack on military parade in Iran|first=Kalbe|last=Ali|newspaper=Dawn|date=23 September 2018|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=6 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506220933/https://www.dawn.com/news/1434479|url-status=live}}

President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea Kim Yong-nam had presented his condolences.{{Cite web|url=https://en.irna.ir/news/83041723/North-Korea-condemns-Ahvaz-terrorist-attack|title=North Korea condemns Ahvaz terrorist attack|date=23 September 2018|website=IRNA English|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716044044/https://en.irna.ir/news/83041723/North-Korea-condemns-Ahvaz-terrorist-attack|url-status=live}}

On 24 September, Minister of Intelligence Mahmoud Alavi said that most of the persons behind the attack had been arrested.{{cite news|url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/427794/Most-of-those-behind-Ahvaz-terrorist-attack-arrested-intelligence|title=Most of those behind Ahvaz terrorist attack arrested: intelligence chief|newspaper=Tehran Times|date=24 September 2018|access-date=1 October 2018|archive-date=1 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001220431/https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/427794/Most-of-those-behind-Ahvaz-terrorist-attack-arrested-intelligence|url-status=live}} The Iranian intelligence ministry disclosed that 22 people attributed to the attack have been arrested, according to the BBC.{{Cite news |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-45625385 |title= Iran arrests '22 people' over Ahvaz attack. |work= BBC News |date= 24 September 2018 |access-date= 30 December 2019 |archive-date= 25 July 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190725194313/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-45625385 |url-status= live }} The United Nations Security Council issued a statement condemning the terrorist attack and calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.{{cite news|url=http://tass.com/world/1022946|title=UNSC reaffirms need to bring organizers of terrorist attack in Iran to justice|agency=TASS|date=25 September 2018|access-date=1 October 2018|archive-date=1 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001182312/http://tass.com/world/1022946|url-status=live}} General Hossein Salami of the Revolutionary Guard called Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United States the "evil triangle". He said, "We warn all of those behind the story, we will take revenge."{{cite news |title=Wails, vows of revenge at Iran funeral after parade attack |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/iran-holds-funerals-victims-terror-attack-ahvaz-58035223 |access-date=25 September 2018 |work=ABC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924105150/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/iran-holds-funerals-victims-terror-attack-ahvaz-58035223 |archive-date=24 September 2018 |language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2018/09/23/1835334/iran-s-irgc-vows-revenge-against-terrorists|title=Iran's IRGC Vows Revenge against Terrorists - Tasnim News Agency|website=tasnimnews.com|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926170219/https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2018/09/23/1835334/iran-s-irgc-vows-revenge-against-terrorists|url-status=live}}

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Thousands of Iranians attended a funeral for the victims on 24 September near Ahvaz's Sarallah Hussainiya.[http://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2234936/%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%8A%D9%8A%D8%B9-%D9%88-%D8%AE%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%AB%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B2 The funeral of the martyrs of Ahwaz terrorist attack] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010174713/http://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2234936/%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%8A%D9%8A%D8%B9-%D9%88-%D8%AE%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%AB%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B2 |date=10 October 2018 }} iribnews.ir Retrieved 10 Oct 2018[https://www.mehrnews.com/photo/4410848/%D8%AA%D8%B4%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%B9-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%AB%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B2 Funeral of the martyrs of Ahwaz terrorist attack] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010213633/https://www.mehrnews.com/photo/4410848/%D8%AA%D8%B4%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%B9-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%AB%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B2 |date=10 October 2018 }} mehrnews.com Retrieved 10 Oct 2018 Some waved Iranian flags and held photographs of the victims.{{cite news |title=Thousands of Iranians attend funeral for Ahvaz attack victims |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/thousands-iranians-attend-funeral-ahvaz-attack-victims-180924142006644.html |access-date=25 September 2018 |work=aljazeera.com |archive-date=24 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924214022/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/thousands-iranians-attend-funeral-ahvaz-attack-victims-180924142006644.html |url-status=live }} The funeral was described by ABC News as "a collective outpouring of grief."

{{main|2018 Eastern Euphrates missile strike}}

Six Zulfiqar and Qiam missiles were launched on 1 October by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.{{cite web |title=Iran fires missiles at Syria 'terrorists' after deadly attack |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20181001-iran-fires-missiles-syria-terrorists-after-deadly-attack |website=France24 |date=October 2018 |access-date=1 October 2018 |archive-date=1 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001091935/https://www.france24.com/en/20181001-iran-fires-missiles-syria-terrorists-after-deadly-attack |url-status=live }}

According to Fars News Agency, at least one missile was adorned with the slogans "death to America", "death to Israel" and "death to Al Saud".{{cite news |last1=Sanchez |first1=Raf |title=Iran strikes 'terrorist' targets in Syria in retaliation for Revolutionary Guards attack |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/01/iran-strikes-terrorist-targets-syria-retaliation-revolutionary/ |website=Telegraph |date=October 2018 |access-date=1 October 2018 |archive-date=1 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001094535/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/01/iran-strikes-terrorist-targets-syria-retaliation-revolutionary/ |url-status=live }} The attack was described as revenge for the people of Ahvaz.{{cite news |last1=Abedine |first1=Saad |last2=Mullen |first2=Jethro |title=Islamists in Syrian city offer Christians safety – at a heavy price |url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/28/world/meast/syria-raqqa-isis-christians/ |date=28 February 2014 |publisher=CNN |access-date=27 July 2014 |archive-date=9 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809130317/http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/28/world/meast/syria-raqqa-isis-christians/ |url-status=live }}{{Failed verification|date=October 2018}} Brigadier Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed that 40 "top leaders" of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant were killed in the attack.{{Cite news|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181003-iran-says-missile-attack-in-syria-killed-40-leaders-of-daesh/|title=Iran says missile attack in Syria killed 40 'leaders' of Daesh|date=3 October 2018|publisher=Middle East Monitor|access-date=8 October 2018|archive-date=9 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009013130/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181003-iran-says-missile-attack-in-syria-killed-40-leaders-of-daesh/|url-status=live}} But according to Colonel Sean Ryan, spokesman for the US-led Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, the attack did no damage at all.{{Cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/article/83857/us-led-coalition-says-iranian-missile-strike-did-no-damage|title=US-led coalition says Iranian missile strike did no damage {{!}} Jane's 360|website=www.janes.com|access-date=2018-11-27|archive-date=17 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017210315/https://www.janes.com/article/83857/us-led-coalition-says-iranian-missile-strike-did-no-damage|url-status=live}}

Fars News Agency, described by news media to be a "semi-official" news agency of the Government of Iran,{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/12/12/iran.protests/|title=Iranian Seminarians Denounce Anti-Government Protesters|work=CNN|date=12 December 2009|access-date=29 August 2013|archive-date=8 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008202055/http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/12/12/iran.protests/|url-status=live}} published a video threatening the capitals of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with missile attacks by showing a graphic video of rifle scope closing in into the two cities.{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/iran/iran-video-threatens-missile-strikes-on-uae-saudi-capitals-1.6508905|title=Iran Video Threatens Missile Strikes on UAE, Saudi Capitals|newspaper=Haaretz|date=25 September 2018|access-date=10 October 2018|archive-date=11 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011134810/https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/iran/iran-video-threatens-missile-strikes-on-uae-saudi-capitals-1.6508905|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-video-threatens-missile-strikes-on-saudi-arabia-united-arab-emirates/|title=Iran video threatens missile strikes on Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates|newspaper=Times of Israel|date=25 September 2018|access-date=10 October 2018|archive-date=11 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011015101/https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-video-threatens-missile-strikes-on-saudi-arabia-united-arab-emirates/|url-status=live}} The video was published as Khamenei blamed Riyadh and Abu Dhabi for the attack. The video was shared on Twitter, but was later taken down.

On 6 May 2023, Habib Farajollah Chaab, a leader of the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz, was executed by hanging after being accused of masterminding the attack.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-execution-deadly-attack-parade-acd9dd6ceecf28ad48e6d52e722185a4|title=Iran hangs Iranian-Swedish man over 2018 attack killing 25|work=Associated Press|date=6 May 2023|access-date=6 May 2023|archive-date=6 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506115121/https://apnews.com/article/iran-execution-deadly-attack-parade-acd9dd6ceecf28ad48e6d52e722185a4|url-status=live}} Tobias Billström, the Swedish Foreign Minister, reacted with "dismay" to the execution of Cha'ab, who was a Swedish-Iranian dual national.{{Cite web |title=Iran executes Swedish-Iranian dual national |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/6/iran-executes-swedish-iranian-dual-national-state-media |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=6 May 2023 |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506050940/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/6/iran-executes-swedish-iranian-dual-national-state-media |url-status=live }} Sweden summoned Ahmad Masoumifar, Iran's acting ambassador to Sweden, in protest of the execution.{{Cite web |date=7 May 2023 |title=Sweden summons Iranian ambassador after execution of Swedish-Iranian dual citizen |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/07/world/sweden-summons-iran-ambassador-citizen-execution-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=7 May 2023 |website=CNN}}

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