In a message regarding the 13 February attack which killed more than two dozen members of the IRGC, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei asserted that "it is evidently certain that the perpetrators of this crime are connected to the intelligence services of some of the countries inside as well as outside the region, and the country's governmental bodies in charge must steadfastly focus on and investigate the matter". President Rouhani also issued a statement, indicating that "this crime is another shame in the dark history of the main sponsors of terrorism at the White House, Tel Aviv and their regional agents... all perpetrators and those who ordered this vicious, flagrant act will be punished soon with the hard work of the powerful security forces of the country".