Iran ayatollah says he is heart-broken over U.S. attack

A conservative Iranian cleric said yesterday he was "heart-broken" over the deadly terror attacks in the United States, which many of his colleagues see as the "Great Satan".

"This heart-breaking event is worrisome to all humanity. How could one be indifferent to the fate of these defenceless men, women and children?" Ayatollah Mohammed Emami-Kashani told Muslim worshippers at Friday prayers in Tehran.

"This strange incident in America and the act committed by a group of terrorists is condemned from the Islamic republic's point of view," he said in remarks quoted by IRNA news agency. Iranian leaders from reformists to hardliners have strongly condemned the attacks in New York and Washington in an unprecedented show of sympathy for their long-time enemy.

Tehran and Washington broke ties after the 1979 revolution which toppled Iran's U.S.-allied Shah. Iranian conservatives staunchly oppose a rapprochement with the United States, which they still regard as the "Great Oppressor".

But the attacks have transformed the United States' image in Iran overnight, with the conservative-run television providing a rare glimpse of the enemy's human side.

In an unprecedented move, the Iranian and Bahraini soccer teams observed a minute's silence before the start of a World Cup qualifier match in Tehran yesterday.

Reformist President Mohammed Khatami set the tone for the new approach in a message of condolence to the American people shortly after the attacks on Tuesday. Reformers have hailed Khatami's message, saying it would help improve Iran's image in the West, where the Islamic republic has been linked to some acts of terrorism.

Mashallah Shamsolvaezin, a Khatami ally released from jail on bail on Wednesday, said he prayed in joy on his last night in prison after hearing about the president's message.

"The message to the American nation was lofty and precious," he told Iran's student news agency ISNA yesterday. "Khatami has always pursued a policy of detente with other countries and this has improved our international standing."

But as officials and clerics continued to condemn the attacks, many warned that the situation might be used by Israel, Iran's other arch-foe, to discredit Arabs and Muslims. Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi on Thursday accused Israel of exploiting the terror attacks in the United States to try to further complicate the volatile situation in the region.

"Even as all Muslim countries have condemned this incident, Israel is unfortunately after provocative measures," the media reported Kharrazi as saying in a telephone conversation with his Austrian counterpart Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

"The situation in the region is very complicated and difficult. Israel's actions could leave a negative impact in Muslim countries," he said, urging the world community to rein in Israel. The television did not give more details.

Ayatollah Emami-Kashani voiced concern over the recent escalation in Israeli attacks on the Palestinians.

"The attacks are becoming an excuse for Israel to make martyrs of the Palestinians and target Islam," he added.

"The world should mobilise to prevent these attacks. If we are to fight terrorism, we will have to remove the conditions which breed it," the ayatollah said.