Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has strongly condemned a terrorist attack on a mosque in southwestern Niger.

At least 44 people were killed and 13 injured in the assault in the village of Fonbita in the rural commune of Kokorou that happened when militants identified as members of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) stormed the mosque, targeting worshippers on Friday.

The victims were killed in a “savage” armed assault, the interior ministry said in a statement broadcast on state television on Friday.

Baghaei said on Saturday that the terrorist act, which was carried out in a holy place and during the Friday prayers, was against the principles of Islam and contrary to all international legal and human rights norms.

The Iranian spokesperson affirmed the Islamic Republic’s principled stance on condemnation of all forms of terrorism and violent extremism.

He stressed the importance of further improving cooperation and coordination at various regional and international levels to prevent and combat terrorism.

It is necessary to prosecute and punish the perpetrators and instigators of terrorist attacks, he said.

Baghaei expressed sympathy with the families of the victims and the government and the nation of Niger over the terrorist attack.

Press TV’s website