Tasnim � Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif denounced Sunday�s terrorist attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, urging global action to counter the menace of terrorism.

In a post on his Twitter account after eight deadly explosions in the South Asian island nation, Zarif said, �Terribly saddened by terrorist attacks on Sri Lankan worshippers during Easter. Condolences to friendly govt & people of Sri Lanka. Our thoughts & prayers with the victims & their families.�

�Terrorism is a global menace with no religion: it must be condemned & confronted globally,� the Iranian minister added.

A total of eight explosions in a single day hit luxury hotels and churches in Sri Lanka, killing at least 156 people and wounding over 400 as worshippers were attending Easter Sunday services.

The explosions, some of which officials said were suicide bomb attacks, led to an immediate clampdown, with the government declaring a curfew and blocking access to most major social media and messaging sites.

The first six explosions were all reported within a short period in the morning just as church services were starting.

Nine foreigners were among the dead, officials said.

Early in the afternoon, police reported there had been two more explosions.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attacks in a country which was at war for decades with Tamil separatists until 2009 during which bomb blasts in the capital were common.

Christian groups say they have faced increasing intimidation from some extremist Buddhist monks in recent years.