Tehran Attacks IR: Tehran First For Iran

Iran was the scene of a double bombing on Wednesday (June 7th). Twelve people lost their lives in two attacks claimed by the Islamic State group in Tehran. The Iranian Parliament, but also the mausoleum of the former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini, were targeted. It is the first time that Iran, which fights against the jihadists in Iraq and Syria, is targeted by a terrorist attack of this magnitude.

Since the emergence of the Islamic State group, Iran has always succeeded in avoiding attacks by jihadists. But it is not because there were no attacks that there were no attempts.

Iranian security services have repeatedly dismantled terrorist cells on their own territory. Iran, a Shiite, is home to a Sunni Muslim minority. Iranian Kurds and Baluchis have even joined the ranks of the Islamic State group.

A risk has therefore always weighed on Iran. Especially since the Islamic Republic is fighting the jihadists of the EI, both in Iraq and Syria.

The Islamic State group also considers the Shiites as heretics. In their hierarchy of horror and hatred, jihadists consider that a Shiite Muslim is worse than a "Crusader", a term used to refer to Westerners.

Rarely, moreover, a claim of attacks on the IA occurred as quickly. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility while the two terrorist attacks were underway in Tehran.

"A Target of Choice" for EI

"This is part of the regional dynamic, which knows no boundaries," analyzes Wassim Nasr, a journalist in France 24 and a specialist in jihadist movements. There I think they [the group EI, ed] had the opportunity, so they did. There is no real surprise. There are all internal objective reasons for Iran and regional geopolitics to make it a target of choice."

Nevertheless, Wassim Nasr insists that if IranIs a target, " it is not on the same level as the Westerners because they are not the same dynamics, not the same wars, not the same reasons.  "

But if there are "objective elements for the IA to carry out operations", the journalist does not consider that it is still possible to speak of a real "  implantation  " of the terrorist group or "  maquis of the IE  " In Iran. On the other hand, "  carrying out operations in a country like that where weapons are easily accessible, where there are fighters who have already been in the ranks of jihadist groups in neighboring countries, even on Iranian soil, Sure that it is possible,  "Wassim Nasr said.

New location

While many police forces have been deployed on the streets after the double attack, notably alongside Parliament, Iranian independent journalist Ahmad Parhizi recalls that at the time, it was mostly the confusion that prevailed among the population.

"People were a bit confused  " because of "  contradictory information coming from state television" about the numbers and the situation, he explains. He also points out the lack of information"  to tell people how to react to this kind of events, because it was unprecedented, unprecedented."

The journalist now wonders how the authorities will react in the days to come. "  Will they strengthen security in cities? Will they use it as an instrument on the political scene? I think it will change a lot in terms of safety in public places. They will review these security measures. The subway, the holy places are not well protected. Even Parliament was not well protected."

This double attack has weakened the situation, he said."  The regime was very proud to see that the country is stable but now they have lost this calm situation, compared to other countries."