Tasnim � Iran�s Foreign Ministry condemned a terrorist attack in the southern Afghan province of Helmand in which dozens of people have been killed in a car bomb blast.

Expressing condolences to the Afghan government and nation and families of the victims, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Iran will stand by Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism.

�In a world in which terrorism has turned into a business, the terrorists and extremist groups have shown that they do not abide by any basic humanitarian and moral principles and are ready to keep on their anti-human crimes at any place and any time without any commitment and consideration,� Qassemi deplored.

At least 34 people were killed and 58 others wounded in a car bomb blast outside a bank in Afghanistan�s southern province of Helmand on Thursday.

Officials said the bomb was detonated at the gate of the New Kabul Bank branch in Lashkar Gah, capital of the province.

Members of the security forces are reportedly among casualties, as well as shoppers preparing for the Eid al-Fitr religious festival.

The Taliban said they planted the explosives.

Bank buildings have been repeatedly attacked in recent years in Afghanistan as civilians and military personnel receive their monthly salaries from them.