thr 098                                                               


Crash-U.S.-Iran /POL/                                                 


   Iran denounces massive attacks on U.S., expresses sympathy with   


victims                                                               


Tehran, Sept 11, IRNA -- Iranian President Mohammad Khatami on Tuesday


condemned the kamikaze "terrorist" attacks in the United States and   


expressed his deep sorrow and sympathy with the American nation.      


    "On behalf of the Iranian government and the nation, I condemn the


hijacking attempts and terrorist attacks on public centers in American


cities which have killed a large number of innocent people," President


Khatami said in reaction to the worst attack on American soil since   


Pearl Harbor. Three hijacked planes slammed into the Pentagon and New 


York's landmark World Trade Center on Tuesday, demolishing the two    


110-story towers that symbolize U.S. financial might.                 


    "My deep sympathy goes out to the American nation, particularly   


those who have suffered from the attacks and also the families of the 


victims," he said, noting, "terrorism is doomed and the international 


community should stem it and take effective measures in a bid to      


eradicate it."                                                        


    Khatami added that the Islamic Republic is treading a road to     


uproot terrorism and to this end, he noted, it will spare no efforts. 


AK/AK                                                                 


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::irna    23:49