Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
The Latest on the ISIS Attacks in Iran
With the press limitations in Iran, details remain sketchy, but here’s what we know about the first terror attack in Iran by ISIS.
On Wednesday morning, gunmen dressed as women entered the Iranian parliament carrying Kalashnikovs. They fought their way into the highly secured building an waged an hours-long assault. Government forces surrounded the area as TV coverage showed people, including children, escaping from windows. Audio has been released indicating heavy intermittent gunfire from a variety of weapons.
ISIS quickly took credit for the attack, but Iran’s Revolutionary Guards blamed their regional foe Saudi Arabia. (At least they didn’t blame Israel.) Despite initial reports to the contrary, Iranian media claimed there was never a hostage situation, adding that four attackers will killed.
While the parliament was under siege, terrorists opened fire at Ayatollah Khomeini mausoleum and a suicide bomber detonated a vest. There is indication that the bomber was a female, but since other attackers dressed as women, that might not be the case. The governor of Tehran said two terrorists are dead.
Iranian media provided a death toll of 12 with about 40 people injured. It is unclear if these numbers include any attackers. Authorities also claim to have foiled a third attack.
Published in Islamist Terrorism
Things are getting interesting….
Iran accuses Saudi of terrorism…
Saudi hands the Qataris an ultimatum…
It’s always sad when innocents get caught in the crossfire, but I have to admit, I’m not shedding too many tears for the Iranian government.
These guys won’t tolerate this kind of thing. They’ll probably expel all the Muslims in the country.
It’s the Prophet Muhammad’s version of a theological debate.
They have been asking for it for decades.
Talk about chickens come home to roost. I feel bad for any innocents caught in the crossfire, but like @umbrafractus, not shedding any tears for the government.
Yup. Not conflicted here.
The gunmen were able to sneak their weapons in under their burkas because security guards thought that stopping them might seem Transphobic . . .
Nah, just institute a travel ban.
I thought the same. I feel sadness for the common Iranian, but my heart is hard toward the leadership.
May G-d use this unrest to open the eyes of Iranians and the world, and bring blessings to the people. Amen.
It’s a very bad thing when the Middle East gets “interesting.”
This is why women should not be allowed to have guns in Iran.
Was it a surprise that a suicide vest on display at the Khomeini museum worked?
Why is the godless United States not being blamed for this tragedy?
Because liberals are too caught up in Comey.
Oh, wait. You meant the nutjobs in the Middle East. My bad.
ISIS and Iran shooting up each other sounds like a war I can support.
On cue:
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards accused Riyadh and Washington of being “involved” in Wednesday’s attacks and vowed revenge.
Trump did it!! Impeach him!!!
I need a scorecard. SA and the Emirates cut off relations with Qatar because Qatar (i) supports ISIS and (ii) is buddies with the hated Shiites of Iran. Got it.
Hamas denounce SA because the Saudis are demanding that Qatar cut off funding of Hamas. Makes sense.
Someone attacks Iran and ISIS proudly claims credit.
Iran, fighting ISIS through its proxies Syria and Hezbollah, ignores this and blames SA and the Great Satan, ignoring Little Satan.
I need a roster.
Really it’s about Aljazeera.
Indeed. One missile takes out ISIS command on Golan edge
This attack is astonishing, and has completely changed my view. Obviously, Iran is a natural ally of the US in the war on terror. Iran is as much a victim of violent Jihadi extremism as anyone else. I now see the deep wisdom of President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran, which will pave the way for a US-Iranian alliance against ISIS.
Wait, no, just kidding.
The obvious analogy is the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union (June 1941), which did not really prompt the US to take sides. FDR did extend Lend-Lease to the Soviets in October 1941, before the Pearl Harbor attack and German declaration of war on the US, but my impression is that this was less a matter of taking sides, and more a matter of preventing the potential imminent collapse of the Soviet Union in order to keep the fight going. Others may know more about this particular detail.