Tehran, Dec 13 (IANS): A senior Iranian official has condemned Friday's terrorist attack near the Iraqi holy city of Karbala, stressing that such acts run counter to the spirit of true Islam.

Terror acts have no place in any divine religion, Press TV reported Saturday, quoting the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali Shamkhani, as saying in a statement Friday.

He added that such attacks are orchestrated by terrorists and those affiliated with international Zionism, urging all countries to stand up aganist such barbaric acts.

At least one person was killed and four others injured when a barrage of mortar shells hit an area on the western side of Karbala Friday.

He further warned that the Islamic State (IS) militants are attempting to tarnish the actual image of Islam. Shamkhani said the peaceful presence of nearly 20 million pilgrims in the mourning rituals marking Arba'een in Karbala was a sign of unity among Shia and Sunni Muslims.

Millions of Shia pilgrims from all over the world Saturday are attending the mourning rituals of Arba'een, which marks the 40th day after the anniversary of the martyrdom of the third Shia imam, Imam Hussein (PBUH), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This year's Arba'een falls Dec13.

The Iranian official also expressed confidence that lasting security would be restored to Iraq and the IS militants would be wiped out through national cooperation and unity among Shia and Sunni Muslims.

IS is engaged in crimes against humanity in the areas under their control. The group has terrorized and killed people of all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians.