Iran attacks: Revolutionary Guards swipe at Saudis for Tehran …
At least 12 people were killed when six attackers mounted simultaneous gun and suicide bomb assaults on Iran's Parliament building and the tomb of the republic's revolutionary founder, in one of the most audacious assaults to hit Tehran in decades. The targets were highly symbolic.
The ISIS media wing, Amaq, claimed "fighters with the Islamic State" carried out the assault. It was the first time that ISIS, a Sunni Muslim group fighting Iranian-backed militias in Syria, has claimed responsibility for an attack in Iran, which is predominantly Shiite.
"World public opinion, especially in Iran, sees the fact that this terrorist act was perpetrated soon after the meeting of the US president with the heads of one of the reactionary regional states that has always supported ... terrorists as to be very meaningful," the statement read, according to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency.
The statement did not explicitly name Saudi Arabia, but the implication was clear. It continued to say that the as ISIS's claim of responsibility for the attacks showed the country's "complicity in this wild move."
Trump issued a written statement saying he felt for Iranian civilians, but the government has itself to blame for the attack.
"We grieve and pray for the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks in Iran, and for the Iranian people, who are going through such challenging times," Trump said. "We underscore that states that sponsor terrorism risk falling victim to the evil they promote."
The Revolutionary Guards' accusation comes at a time of heightened Saudi-Iranian tensions following a regional rift with Qatar.
The Emir's alleged comments appeared on Qatar's official news agency, but Qatar said the website was hacked and the report fabricated by the culprits.
Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia and Shiite-majority Iran have had strained relations throughout their history and have stood on opposing sides of a sectarian feud for more than 1,000 years.
The attack shocked Tehran: Until now, Iran has largely escaped the regular assaults launched against other participants in Syria's civil war. In a region plagued by sectarian violence, residents of the capital have lived in a peaceful oasis.
The violence began at about 10 a.m. local time (2 a.m. ET) when gunmen apparently dressed as women stormed the main gate of the Parliament building in central Tehran and opened fire, Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Hossein Zolfaghari told state television.
The attackers took a number of hostages and at least one detonated a suicide bomb. Sporadic gunfire was heard before Iranian authorities declared the situation under control about four hours later. All four attackers were killed by security forces, Fars reported.
At the same time as the Parliament attack was launched, a shooting spree and suicide bombing targeted the Ayatollah Khomeini mausoleum about 25 kilometers (15 miles) away, on the southern outskirts of the Iranian capital. Fars reported that one person was arrested at the tomb.
Gruesome video footage from inside Iran's Parliament during the attack was published by Amaq and appears to have been filmed on a phone by one of the gunmen.
The video opens by showing a quick shot of a man carrying an assault-style rifle walking out of an office, while a bloodied body of a man lies on the office floor. Shots are then fired either at or near the body, even though it appears the victim is already dead.
Iran's counterterrorism unit said that several "terrorist groups" had entered Tehran, though it did not say where they were from. Members of another group had been apprehended.
The speaker of the Parliament, Ali Larijani, attempted to play down the attack, describing it as a "minor issue."
"As you know, some coward terrorists infiltrated a building ... but they were seriously confronted," he said in a statement.
"This is a minor issue but reveals that the terrorists pursue trouble-making."
The attackers chose symbolically significant targets for their assault. The tomb houses the body of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Islamic Republic's founder and first supreme leader, and it is a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims. He led the revolution that overthrew the Shah in 1979 and was supreme leader for 10 years.
The Parliament, the Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majlis, is Iran's principal legislative body. It has 290 members, including women, and there are representatives of religious minorities including Christians, Zoroastrians and Jews.
Gun ownership is heavily controlled in Iran, raising speculation that the attackers smuggled weapons into the country.
Iran -- which is more than 90% Shiite -- has been involved in military actions against Sunni terrorist groups such as ISIS, who regard Shiites as apostates, but such terror attacks in the country are rare.
CNN's James Griffiths, Carol Jordan, Karen Smith, Alireza Hajihosseini and Madison Park contributed reporting.
Read more from the original source:
Iran attacks: Revolutionary Guards swipe at Saudis for Tehran ...
- Oman caught between US and Iran after Tehrans claims of joint strait of Hormuz plan - The Guardian - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Trump says he is losing patience with Iran, did not ask China for favors - Reuters - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Trump says Xi offered help on Iran but how far is Beijing willing to go? - CNBC - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Iran-Backed Commander Accused of Plotting U.S. Attacks - The New York Times - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Iran has no trust in the U.S., will negotiate only if it is serious, Araghchi says - NBC News - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Republicans Waited to Challenge Trump on the Iran War. Now It May Be Too Late. - The New York Times - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Back From China, Trump Faces Decision on Whether to Resume Strikes on Iran - The New York Times - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Live Updates: Latest from Israel, Iran, and Middle East - The Jerusalem Post - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Iran warns co-sponsors of US-backed Hormuz Strait resolution that they share responsibility for 'aggression' - Anadolu Ajans - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Clip: What role does China play in resolving the Iran war? - PBS - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Iran has 'no trust' in US, will negotiate only if it is serious, Araqchi says - Reuters - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Will the Iran War Backlash Save Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky? - The New York Times - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Will Iran play in the FIFA Men's World Cup? The question resurfaces - The Seattle Times - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Murkowski vs Trump: Senator sides with Democrats on Iran after series of breaks with president - Fox News - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Trump says hes OK with Iran suspending nuke enrichment for 20 years if theres real guarantee - The Times of Israel - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Food, Fuel, and Fertilizer: How President Trumps War in Iran Wreaks Havoc on the African Continent - Center for American Progress - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- BRICS talks end without joint statement, exposing divisions over war in Iran - Reuters - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- FBI offers $200K reward in search for ex-Air Force counterintelligence specialist who defected to Iran - The Hill - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Iran-linked suspect accused of terror plots on Jewish sites in U.S. - NBC News - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Iraqi militant leader directed and urged attacks on Americans and Jews over Iran war, feds say - CNN - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Iran Seizes Chinese-Owned Floating Armory Ship Near Hormuz - gCaptain - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Seized ship taken toward Iran as Trump and China's Xi agree Strait of Hormuz "must remain open" - CBS News - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Trump, Back From China, Preps Big Iran Strikes With Epic Fury 2.0: Report - NDTV - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- How to Restore US Leadership After the Iran War - The National Interest - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Despite Repeated Bombings, CENTCOM Head Denies US Targeted Schools in Iran - Truthout - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Few deals from Trumps trip and no progress on Iran send global markets into a sell-off - NBC News - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Opinion | Admiral Cooper Tallies the Score in Iran - WSJ - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Iran's top diplomat says lack of trust impeding talks to end war with U.S. - TelegraphHerald.com - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- Unpredictable: AAA speaks on the future of gas prices amidst Iran conflict - ABC4 Utah - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- The U.S. Should Cut Its Losses in the Iran War: News Article - Independent Institute - May 16th, 2026 [May 16th, 2026]
- John Fetterman casts deciding vote against limiting Trumps war in Iran - Inquirer.com - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- The Iran War Is Going to Make Your Cars Oil Change More Pricey - Bloomberg.com - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Fact check: Trump falsely claims the inflation rate was just 1.7% prior to the Iran war - CNN - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Trade, Iran and Taiwan on the agenda as Trump lands in China for high-stakes summit with Xi Jinping - BBC - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Kuwait Accuses Iran of Trying to Infiltrate Its Territory - The New York Times - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- The Iran Wars Threat to Turkey - Foreign Affairs - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- KC area drivers sound off on high gas prices, the Iran war. We all know who to blame - Kansas City Star - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Report: Iran has caused billions in damage to US military bases in Gulf region - The Hill - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Live updates: German leader says US humiliated by Iran - NewsNation - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Live Updates: Latest from Israel, Iran, and the Middle East - The Jerusalem Post - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Middle East war live: Iran says its army should be authority of Hormuz, wants payments in rial - France 24 - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Iran's 'Quadruple' Warning To Gulf Nations After Trump's Threats - NDTV - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- The Iran war could drive up costs for petroleum-derived products like clothes and crayons - AP News - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Iran offers to reopen Strait of Hormuz if U.S. lifts its blockade and the war ends, officials say - PBS - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Live updates: Iran offers to reopen Strait of Hormuz if US lifts its blockade and the war ends, officials say - AP News - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- How the Iran war is bringing back 'citizenship as a weapon' - DW.com - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- How the West Can Escape Iran's Hormuz Trap - Foreign Policy - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Iran-US war latest: Entire nation is being humiliated by Tehran, says Merz - The Independent - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Trumps indifference to Iran and Russias military collaboration is staggering - The Independent - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- 2 months into the Iran war, who holds the upper hand? - South China Morning Post - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Despite a New Proposal From Iran, Ceasefire Negotiations With US Are in Flux - Military.com - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Iran proposes to reopen Strait of Hormuz without nuclear agreement. Follow live updates. - The Boston Globe - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Trump says Iran can phone if it wants to talk; Iranian minister heads to Russia - Yahoo - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Iran gave US a proposal for reopening the Strait Of Hormuz and ending the war, Axios reports - Reuters - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Iran turmoil erupts: Ultra-hardliner who mocked Trump poised to take over nuclear talks - Yahoo - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- 5 things to know for April 27: Press dinner shooting, Severe weather, King Charles, Iran war, fossil fuel profits - CNN - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Iran offers to reopen Strait of Hormuz if US lifts its blockade and the war ends, officials say - WRAL - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- The Iran war has the world buying more clean energy. China stands to benefit the most - CNN - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Trump to hold talks on Iran with security team, US media say - Euronews.com - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Mediators still seek to bridge US, Iran gaps despite failure of face-to-face talks - Yahoo - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- The war on Iran is eroding nuclear non-proliferation - Al Jazeera - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Trump says Iran can phone if it wants to talk; Iranian minister heads to Russia - KSL.com - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Iran is suffering in a standoff with the US but may be betting Trump will blink first - CNN - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Iran has played their last cards in the war, says Heritage Foundation's Steve Yates - CNBC - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- The Iran War and How It Might End - Geopolitical Futures - April 27th, 2026 [April 27th, 2026]
- Trump voters say the pope should 'stay in his lane' and butt out of the Iran war - NBC News - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Middle East crisis live: Iran says fundamental issues still to be resolved with US amid strait of Hormuz impasse - The Guardian - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Strait of Hormuz blocked as gaps remain on Iran peace talks - Reuters - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Iran war: What is happening on day 51 of the US-Iran conflict? - Al Jazeera - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Trump: Iran got a little cute by blocking Hormuz again, but talks going really well - The Times of Israel - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Iran war: What is happening on day 50 of the US-Iran conflict? - Al Jazeera - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- The U.S. is ready to seize Iran-linked ships with boarding parties, report says, while Marines practice maritime raids - Fortune - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Report: Iran still able to access around 70% of its pre-war missile stocks, 60% of launchers - The Times of Israel - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Iran fully closes Strait of Hormuz over US blockade and fires on ships - AP News - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Why China is taking a behind-the-scenes role in the Iran war - The Washington Post - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- In Qatar, Trapped Between the U.S. and Iran, War Forced a Reckoning - The New York Times - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Traders placed over $1bn in perfectly timed bets on the Iran war. What is going on? - The Guardian - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Heres what the stock market might have gotten wrong about the Iran war - The Washington Post - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- After war of words on Iran, Pope Leo says he's not interested in a debate with Trump - NBC News - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Iran war: What is happening on day 49 of the US-Iran conflict? - Al Jazeera - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]