US condemns 'unacceptable' attack on Azerbaijan's Embassy in Iran

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US sharply rebuked the “unacceptable” attack Friday on Azerbaijan's Embassy in Iran, urging a "prompt investigation" to determine the culprit.

"We offer our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who were killed and injured today," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. "Any attack against diplomats or diplomatic facilities anywhere is unacceptable. We remind the Government of Iran of its responsibility under the Geneva Convention to protect foreign diplomats in Iran."

The attack took place at around 8.30 a.m. local time when a gunman, wielding a Kalashnikov rifle, barged inside the embassy’s premises and opened fire.

The head of the embassy's security services was killed in the attack, while two security guards at the entrance were injured.

Tehran's police chief Hossein Rahimi told reporters that the assailant was immediately arrested and that a preliminary investigation pointed to "personal and family-related problems" as a motive.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Twitter strongly condemned the "treacherous attack" and demanded an investigation.

"We demand the soonest investigation into the terrorist act and punishment of the terrorists. The terrorist attack on the diplomatic mission is unacceptable," he said.

Earlier, a statement from the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said the armed assailant "destroyed the guard post with a Kalashnikov automatic weapon."

The ministry also summoned the Iranian ambassador in Baku to register its protest.