TEHRAN - Major General Mohammad Baqeri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, has stated that Iran is prepared to wage a more forceful war against terrorism and its causes.

The Iranian general made the remarks as he sent messages on Friday to Syrian General Abdul Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim, the chief of general staff of the Syrian Army, and Minister of Defense Ali Mahmoud Abbas.

General Baqeri’s statements came after a drone strike on Thursday on a military academy graduation ceremony in central Homs Province killed at least 89 troops and civilians and wounded 277 others.

He called the attack a “great crime”, sympathized with the families of the victims, and prayed for a speedy recovery of the injured.

The terrorist act exposed the wicked, criminal, and anti-human essence of Takfiri terrorists, as well as the scandal of their supporters, the top general remarked.

The instrumental and political use of terrorist groups will not be able to weaken the will of nations, instead, it will make them more determined to continue resisting until the elimination of terrorists and the failure of their supporters, the general pointed out.

He added that the governments that support these terrorists must be held accountable for “this great crime”.