TEHRAN – In a message to his New Zealand counterpart Trevor Mallard on Friday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said peace will never be achieved as long as ideology of terrorists is not eradicated.

The message came after coordinated terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Friday. 49 worshippers were killed and many others wounded in the attacks.

Larijani said this crime shows that it is essential for all countries to be vigilant and cooperate in fighting terrorism.

He said Iran, as a victim of terrorism, is ready to cooperate with the international community to find a solution to scourge of terrorism.

Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern described the incident as “an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence.”

‘Sources of violence, extremism should be eradicated’

In a message issued on Saturday, Iran’s First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri also said it is necessary to root out the sources of “hatred”, “violence”, “extremism” and “racism”.

In an indirect reference to U.S. President Donald Trump, Jahangiri says leaders of certain countries who adopt racist policies and spread division between people should be aware that they play a part in such “inhuman actions”.He said that the incident in Christchurch is a warning to the international community about the dangers of terrorism and racism.

An international determination is needed to dry up sources of terrorism and violence, the vice president insisted.

In an indirect reference to U.S. President Donald Trump, Jahangiri said leaders of certain countries who adopt racist policies and spread division between people should be aware that they play a part in such “inhuman actions”.

Brenton Harris Tarrant, 28, who attacked worshippers in New Zealand has praised Trump as “a symbol of renewed white identity”.

In a message on his tweeter account on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, “Impunity in Western ‘democracies’ to promote bigotry leads to this: 
-Israeli thugs enter mosque in Palestine to insult Muslims; 
-Terrorists in NZ livestream their murder of 49 Muslims.

In his tweet, Zarif added, “Western hypocrisy of defending demonization of Muslims as ‘freedom of expression’ MUST end.”

NA/PA