Iran Warned Russia Of Potential Terrorist Threat Before Moscow Concert Hall Tragedy: Report

Iran had reportedly forewarned Russia about a possible terrorist threat before the catastrophic event at a Moscow concert hall.

What Happened: Before the tragic concert hall massacre in Moscow, Iran had alerted Russia about a potential “terrorist operation,” according to Reuters on Monday.

On Mar. 22, gunmen attacked Crocus City Hall, killing at least 144 people. This incident was the deadliest on Russian soil in two decades and was claimed by the Islamic State. Despite receiving warnings from both Iran and the United States about a likely Islamist militant attack, Russia downplayed the intelligence. The skepticism towards U.S. intelligence contrasts with the difficulty in dismissing warnings from Iran, a diplomatic ally.

Information about the possible attack was shared by Tehran with Moscow after interrogations related to bombings in Iran that killed nearly 100 people in January. The United States also indicated that ISIS-K, the Afghanistan-based branch of Islamic State, was behind both the January attacks in Iran and the March shootings in Moscow.

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Although specifics such as timing and exact targets were not provided, the information from Tehran hinted at a “significant operation” in Russia. Some members of ISIS-K had reportedly already traveled to Russia at the time of the warning. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed to not know the alert, while Iran’s foreign ministry and the White House did not comment on the report.

Both the attacks in Kerman and Moscow involved Tajik nationals, with ISIS-K known for recruiting from Tajikistan. Iran has raised its security concerns with Tajikistan, and a diplomatic source from Tajikistan confirmed discussions with Tehran on the matter.

Why It Matters: The massacre at Crocus City Hall is part of a series of events that have escalated tensions and raised questions about security measures and intelligence sharing. Following the attack, Russian officials announced the arrest of 11 individuals linked to the terrorist assault. The death toll, initially reported as 133, has since risen to 144.

Additionally, the Kremlin’s response to the use of social media platforms for terrorist activities came into focus when a spokesperson sent a pointed message to Telegram CEO Pavel Durov criticizing the platform’s alleged role in facilitating terrorist communication.

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