Iran mosque hit by bomb blasts

guardian.co.uk

Revolutionary Guards among at least 20 killed and more than 100 wounded in suicide bombings in south-eastern Iran

At least 20 people have been killed and more than 100 wounded in two suicide bombings outside a mosque in south-eastern Iran.

Members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards were among those who died when the blast struck outside the main mosque in Zahedan, capital of Sistan-Baluchistan province, the Irna state news agency reported.

"The first explosion took place behind a checkpoint, and a number of Revolutionary Guard members were killed and injured because of it," Ali Abdollahi, deputy interior minister, told the Fars news agency.

The head of the province's medical emergency department, Fariborz Rashedi, said: "In the two explosions in Zahedan more than 20 people were killed and over 100 were injured." Local prosecutor Mohammad Marzieh told Irna that 21 people had died.

The Sunni rebel group Jundulla, or Soldiers of God, claimed responsibility, according to al-Arabiya Television. The attack was in retaliation for the execution of the group's leader, Abdolmalek Rigi, last month.

Jundulla is accused by Tehran of mounting terrorist attacks with the support of the US, Britain and Pakistan. The government also claims it is linked to al-Qaida.

"Confessions of Abdolmalek Rigi prove that America, Israel and some European countries are directly involved in the attacks," said Guards official Yadolla Javadi in remarks carried by Fars.

The group has claimed responsibility for bombings that have killed scores in recent years, including five senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guard last year.

The insurgents say they are fighting for the rights of the Sunni Baluch minority in south-eastern Iran, whom they claim are discriminated against by the Shia regime.

In June, the government hanged Rigi in Zahedan, after he was found guilty of carrying out attacks against civilians, armed robbery, and engaging in a disinformation campaign against Tehran.

His elder brother, Abdulhamid, was executed in May after being captured in Pakistan in 2008 and extradited to Iran.