Iran urges joint bids to counter violence, extremism

Iran has strongly condemned the bomb attack outside its consulate in Pakistan’s northwest city of Peshawar, stressing the importance of making joint efforts to counter violence and extremism.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham on Monday pointed to the spread of terrorist measures and violence in the region, particularly against diplomatic sites, and called on all countries to expand close cooperation to fight violence, extremism and sectarian strife.

She said Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held a telephone conversation with the country’s consul general in Peshawar following the terrorist attack to sure the consulate employees are in safe.

At least two paramilitary soldiers have been killed and a dozen others injured in a car bomb attack outside the Iranian consulate in Pakistan’s Peshawar.

Local security officials said the attack took place on Monday evening in Peshawar – the capital of Pakistan’s militancy-hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province bordering Afghanistan.

Sources say Iranian consulate employees were unharmed in the bombing.

No group or person has yet claimed responsibility for the deadly attack, but Taliban militant groups have been blamed for such attacks in the past.

In February 2013, Iran and Pakistan signed a security agreement, under which both countries are required to cooperate in preventing and combating organized crime, fighting terrorism and countering the activities that pose a threat to the national security of either country.

Iran has repeatedly called on its eastern neighbor to abide by the terms of the agreement.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/02/24/352087/iran-urges-joint-antiterrorism-bids/