RNA - In a message on Friday, Rouhani condemned as “desperate” the bombing that left around 100 people, including dozens of Iranian pilgrims, dead.
“The Islamic Republic is still determined to stage all-out fight against terrorists and extremists,” the president said.
Explosives laden onto a truck were set off at a gas station in the Shomali village in the suburbs of al-Hilla on Thursday, for which the Takfiri terrorist group claimed responsibility.
Rouhani said the bloodshed reflected “the depth of the desperation of the bloodthirsty, heartless terrorists" as he announced Tehran’s readiness to assist Iraq in providing aid to the survivors.
The Iranian president also urged the government in Baghdad to adopt tougher action to confront the perpetrators of such brutal acts.
Iran, he said, "is confident that with unity and solidarity from the people of Iraq, we shall soon witness its final victory.”
The incident occurred as pilgrims were returning from marking the occasion, the 40th day to follow the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hossein, the third Shia Imam, back in the seventh century.
On Friday, Iran's counselor in Karbala Massoud Hosseini said 28 Iranian identification cards had been found at the site of the explosion.
He said 71 bags of human remains were being transferred to Iran on Friday evening for DNA testing in order to identify the victims.
Secretary General of Iranian Red Crescent Society Ali-Asghar Ahmadi said many of the victims have been burnt beyond recognition.
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