Israel, Arab countries condemn deadly attack on Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran

By Enes Canli, Mahmut Geldi and Mehmet Nuri Ucar

ISTANBUL (AA) - Middle Eastern countries condemned the armed attack Friday on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran’s national capital of Tehran which killed the security chief of the diplomatic post and wounded two others.

"We are shocked and saddened by the heinous attack against the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran, in which the Chief of Security was murdered," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat wrote on Twitter.

Haiat extended Israel’s deepest condolences to Azerbaijan and its people and wished a speedy recovery for all who were injured.

"We reaffirm Egypt's full solidarity with Azerbaijan in this tragic event,” said Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid.

The attack took place in Tehran while Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi was on an official visit to Azerbaijan to strengthen relations.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was among nations that conveyed condolences to Azerbaijan for the "criminal act."

"UAE expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts, and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of moral and human values and principles," it said.

The Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack.

The ministry reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s solidarity with Azerbaijan and its people demanded respecting the sanctity of diplomatic missions and punishing the perpetrators.

Jordanian Foreign Ministry conveyed condolences to the government and people of Azerbaijan.

An armed assailant stormed the embassy morning with an automatic weapon, said officials.

The head of the embassy's security services was killed while two guards were injured.

The incident took place at around 8.30 a.m. local time when the armed man opened fire at the picket of embassy guards in northern Tehran, according to sources.

The attacker was immediately arrested by security forces, Tehran's police chief Hossein Rahimi told reporters.