TEHERAN - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement on Wednesday condemning terrorist attack in a holy shrine in Shiraz.

Following is the text of the statement issued by the spokesman for Guterres:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the terrorist attack today on the Shah Cheragh Holy Shrine in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran, for which the so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility.

Such acts targeting religious sites are especially heinous.  The Secretary-General stresses the need to bring to justice the perpetrators of this crime against civilians exercising their right to practice their religion.

The Secretary-General conveys his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.  He wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.