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International desk: Iranian leaders have accused US-backed Gulf states of being behind an attack on a military parade that killed 25 people, including a child.<\/p>\nInternational desk: Iranian leaders have accused US-backed Gulf states of being behind an attack on a military parade that killed 25 people, including a child.<\/p>\n
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said “puppets of the US” were trying to “create insecurity” in Iran.<\/p>\n
Gunmen opened fire at Revolutionary Guard troops and officials in the south-western city of Ahvaz.<\/p>\n
Earlier an anti-government Arab group, Ahvaz National Resistance, and Islamic State (IS) both claimed the attack.<\/p>\n
However, neither group provided evidence to show they were involved.<\/p>\n
Earlier Foreign Minister Javad Zarif blamed “terrorists paid by a foreign regime”, adding that “Iran holds regional terror sponsors and their US masters accountable”.<\/p>\n
Iran has summoned diplomats from the UK, the Netherlands, and Denmark, accusing their countries of harbouring Iranian opposition groups, state news agency Irna reports.<\/p>\n
“It is not acceptable that these groups are not listed as terrorist organizations by the European Union as long as they have not carried out a terrorist attack in Europe,” said foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi.<\/p>\n
Reports say nearly half of those killed were members of the Revolutionary Guard, who are under Mr Khamenei's command.<\/p>\n
Mr Khamenei did not name the “regional states” that he believed were behind the attack.<\/p>\n
However, Iran has previously accused its regional rival, Saudi Arabia, of supporting separatist activity amongst Iran's Arab minority.<\/p>\n
Fars news agency said the attack started at 09:00 local time (06:30 BST), lasted about 10 minutes, and appeared to involve four gunmen.<\/p>\n
The attackers fired at civilians and attempted to attack military officials on the podium, Fars reports.<\/p>\n
Civilians including women and children, who were watching the military parade, were among those killed, Irna news agency said.<\/p>\n
The victims included a four-year-old girl and a military veteran in a wheelchair, a military spokesman said.<\/p>\n
Local journalist Behrad Ghasemi told AFP that firing continued for between 10 and 15 minutes and said at least one of the attackers was wearing a Revolutionary Guards uniform.<\/p>\n
“First we thought it's part of the parade, but after about 10 seconds we realised it was a terrorist attack as bodyguards [of officials] started shooting,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Everything went haywire and soldiers started running. I saw a four-year old child get shot, and also a lady,” he added.<\/p>\n
All four attackers were killed, state media said.<\/p>\n
Iran is marking the anniversary of the beginning of the 1980-88 war with Iraq with several military parades across the nation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
International desk: Iranian leaders have accused US-backed Gulf states of being behind an attack on a military parade that killed 25 people, including a child. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said “puppets of the US” were trying to “create insecurity” in Iran. Gunmen opened fire at Revolutionary Guard troops and officials in the south-western city […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":47569,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2,14],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n