In a message on Saturday, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed deep sorrow over a terrorist attack in Iraq on Thursday, which killed nearly 100 Shia pilgrims, including Iranians. 

The Leader said criminal and atrocious Takfiri groups carried out a “heinous and cowardly” measure to take revenge after their ominous plots were thwarted and their evil face was once again revealed for all. 

Ayatollah Khamenei stated that there is also “bitter and shocking” news about crimes by terrorist groups and their sponsors in other parts of the world such as Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan, which remind all

Muslims of the threat of Takfiri groups and their supporters. 

About 100 people, including Shia Iranian pilgrims, were killed after explosives placed in a truck were set off at a gas station in Shomali village in the suburbs of Hillah, 100 km south of Baghdad, on Thursday. 

The pilgrims were en route back to Iran from the Iraqi holy city of Karbala, where they had attended religious rituals commemorating Arbaeen, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussayn

(as), the third Shia Imam. 

The Daesh Takfiri terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack in an online statement. 

Ayatollah Khamenei also condoled with the families of dozens of people killed in a deadly train accident in Iran’s north-central province of Semnan.  

The Leader said the tragedy occurred due to the “negligence or imprudence” of relevant Iranian authorities. 

The Leader urged Iranian officials to prioritize efforts to tackle the root causes of such “painful incidents” and do their utmost to treat the injured and alleviate the sufferings of the bereaved families. 

On Friday, a total of 45 people lost their lives and 103 others were injured in the deadly collision of two passenger trains at a station in Semnan.