Iran condemns assassination of Japan’s Shinzo Abe

ISTANBUL (AA) – Iran on Friday condemned the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, terming his killing as a “terrorist act.”

“As a victim of terrorism that has lost prominent leaders [in attacks] by terrorists, Iran is following the news of Shinzo Abe’s assassination closely and with concern,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said in a statement.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns this terrorist act,” he added.

Abe was gunned down early Friday in the western region of Nara, where he was delivering a campaign speech ahead of Sunday’s election for Japan’s Upper House.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi in Ankara contributed to this report