Iran`s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei

The Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned a terrorist attack on worshippers at the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) Mosque in Syria`s Homs Province that left many dead and injured during Friday prayers.

Addressing the tragedy in a statement, spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei recalled the principled stance of the Islamic Republic in unequivocally condemning all forms of terrorism and violent extremism.

He emphasized the responsibility of all parties that, through illegal interventions, including violations of Syria`s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the occupation of parts of the country, had created conditions for the continued existence, growth, and spread of terrorism and extremism.

The official was referring to continued military intervention in the Arab country by the Israeli regime and the United States.

The former has egregiously escalated its strikes against Syria`s civilian and defensive infrastructures and expanded the areas under its occupation there under the pretext of preventing spillover of violence from the Arab country into the occupied territories.

The US has also recently begun striking targets allegedly belonging to the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Syria amid speculations about Washington`s seeking to reestablish significant military presence across the country.

Baghaei called for identification and punishment of the perpetrators of the Friday attack and those ordering it, underscoring the responsibility of Syria`s new authorities in this regard.

The official finally expressed condolences and sympathy to the families of the survivors.

The attack struck the mosque in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood of Homs` provincial capital of the same name, according to Syrian media and regional sources. Syria`s official news agency SANA reported that initial figures had pointed to the death of at least five people injury of 21 others, later revising the toll to eight fatalities and 18 wounded.

Syrian authorities described the incident as a terrorist attack and said investigations were underway as emergency teams evacuated the injured and secured the area. Citing a security source, SANA said preliminary investigations indicated the explosion was caused by explosive devices planted inside the mosque, after initial reports had linked the blast to a bomber.

In a statement on Telegram, the so-called Saraya Ansar al-Sunna group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying its members had detonated multiple explosive devices inside the mosque. The group had previously claimed responsibility for a church bombing in Damascus in June.