PM on Bulgaria terror attack: All signs point to Iran

Ynetnews

"All the signs are pointing to Iran. Only in the past few months we've seen Iran try to target Israelis in Thailand, Indian, Georgia, Cyprus and more, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said following the deadly terror attack on a bus in carrying Israeli tourists in Burgas, Bulgaria.

"The murderous Iranian terror continues to target innocent people. Iranian terror is spreading worldwide... Israel will react to it with force," he said.

"Exactly 18 years after the terror attack at the Jewish community building in Argentina, the murderous Iranian terror continues to harm innocent people. This was an Iranian terror attack," the PM stated.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak added that the Israeli defense establishment will not rest until the perpetrators are apprehended.

"Our defense forces will act to track down the perpetrators and masterminds behind this act of terrorism," he vowed.

"It's a very severe attack. We've been following terrorist organizations – Hezbollah, Hamas - as well as Iranian and global jihad elements who intend to engage in international terrorist attacks. We're engaged in a bitter battle with many victories alongside bad days like today."

Hezbollah has denied any connection to the attack, saying its response to the assassination of its top commander Imad Mughniyeh "won't be carried out by attacking tourists."

US President Barack Obama was also briefed on the attack in Burgas. The White House condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms.

Press secretary Jay Carney said the US "condemns such attacks on innocent people, especially children, in the strongest possible terms." Carney said Obama's "thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured."

He said the US stands with the Israeli people and the people of Bulgaria, adding that the US's "commitment to Israel's security remains unshakeable."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was "deeply saddened and angered" to learn of the terrorist attack.

"We offer our deepest condolences to the victims and their loved ones. The United States stands ready to offer any assistance necessary, and we will work with our partners in Bulgaria, Israel and elsewhere so that the perpetrators can be apprehended swiftly and brought to justice for this appalling crime," she said in a statement.