Iran’s foreign ministry said in a Monday statement, “The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns any act of extremism and violence, which contradicts Islam and its principles.”

“Iran is certain that the sensible and revolutionary Egyptian nation, through its prudent leaders, will once again thwart the Zionist plot to create rifts between Islam and Christianity, and safeguard their revolution and national unity, and will also exercise vigilance vis-à-vis plots to foment discord among various schools of Islam and will not let such a thing happen,” the statement read.

On Sunday, a group of Takfiri extremists attacked the house of a Shia cleric in a village near Cairo in Giza Province.

The cleric and three of his followers were murdered after the house was surrounded by hundreds of people vowing to kill them for being Shias.

Their bodies were then dragged on the street by Takfiri extremists.

Takfiris believe that only their interpretation of Islam is correct and all other Muslims are unbelievers.

Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil has denounced the killing of the Shias and said he is closely following the investigation into the incident. He also promised that the culprits would be punished.

The incident comes a week after Salafist clerics insulted Shia Muslims during a demonstration.

The Shia community is being targeted by Salafis, with the support of various countries, especially Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Shias, who form just one percent of Egypt’s population, are now often attacked by extremist groups.