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On October 26, 2022, the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for an attack on a Shi'ite shrine in the city of Shiraz, southern Iran.[1] The last attack in Iran claimed by the group targeted a military parade for the Iranian armed forces, back on September 22, 2018, in the city of Ahvaz.[2]
Following the Shiraz attack, a Telegram channel linked to Iraqi Shi'ite militias, which consistently expresses support for the Iranian regime, tried to blame the attack on Tehran's rivals, including the Iranian demonstrators who continue to protest the September 16 death of 22-year-old Jina (Mahsa) Amini.
"Iranian Protesters Are Collaborating With ISIS"
A cartoon posted by the Sabereen News Telegram channel on October 27 depicted the attack in the Shiraz shrine, with an Iranian security forces member attempting to pursue the ISIS gunman, but being restrained by protesters, suggesting collaboration between the Iranian protesters and ISIS.[3]
"Saudi Arabia, Israel, U.S. Are Enablers Of ISIS"
The same channel published a second poster depicting the spiritual leader of the Yemen-based Iran-backed Ansar Allah movement, Abdul Malik Al-Houthi, standing calmly beneath approaching drones, as figures representing the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Israel cower and flee.[4]
Aside from suggesting that the ISIS attack on the Shiraz shrine was enabled by Saudi Arabia, Israel and the U.S., whose interests in Yemen are endangered by the Houthis, the caption posted by the channel cited a statement issued by the Iraqi Hizbullah Brigades following the attack, quoting it as saying: "Saudi Arabia goes too far in playing its dirty and incendiary role against the Islamic Republic [of Iran]."
The post also included a hashtag warning Saudi Arabia of an upcoming attack.
"On the way to you, long-lived [sheikh]," said the post, referring to a phrase used in Arab Gulf dialects when addressing honorable leaders.
[1] See MEMRI JTTM report, In First Attack In Iran Since 2018, ISIS Claims Attack On Shi'ite Shrine In Shiraz, October 26, 2022.
[2] See MEMRI JTTM report, ISIS Claims Responsibility For Attack On Military Parade In Ahvaz, Iran, September 22, 2018.
[3] Telegram, October 27, 2022.
[4] Telegram, October 27, 2022.
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