• Published 21:46 16.07.10
  • Latest update 21:46 16.07.10

Israel, U.S. behind fatal Iran suicide bombings, Iran official says

Top Revolutionary Guards officer says attacks, which left 27 dead, were an attempt by the west to raise tensions between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims.

By Haaretz Service and News Agencies Tags: Israel news Iran Hezbollah

Israel and the United States were behind the twin suicide bombings on a mosque in Iran that left 27 people dead, a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards officer told the semi-official Fars news agency on Friday.

Iran Zahedan bombing

Iranian gathering at the scene of bomb blasts in the provincial capital of Zahedan, Iran, Thursday, July 15, 2010.

Photo by: AP

Two bombs went off in the suicide attack at the mosque in Zahedan Thursday night. Authorities said an additional 167 people were injured and warned the death toll could rise.

The radical Sunni group, Jundollah, meaning Soldiers of God, claimed responsibility for the bombings, calling it retaliation for the execution last month of its leader, Abdolmalik Rigi.

The chief of the Revolutionary Guards' Political Bureau Yadollah Javani to Fars that that confessions extracted by Rigi prior to execution last month showed the rebel group had received U.S. support for its fight against the regime in Tehran.

"Rigi's confessions prove that the United States, Zionists and some European countries are directly linked with the Zahedan blasts, because he had confessed that the U.S. wants bomb attacks to be carried out across Iran," Javani told Fars.

According to the Revolutionary Guards top officer, Iran's enemies sought to divide "Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims in order to create chaos in the country," adding that "one could not doubt the involvement of secret foreign services in the efforts to generate tension amongst Muslims."

Javani's claims came as Hezbollah condemned Friday the twin suicide bombings, saying they extended their "deepest condolences to the leader of the Islamic revolution and to the government and people of the Islamic republic as well as to the relatives of the victims."

The statement also echoed Iranian claims that foreign intelligence services were behind the attack.

Earlier, U.S. President Barack Obama also released a statement condemning the attack, saying it was an "outrageous terrorist attack."

In the statement, Obama said the deaths of innocent civilians in their place of worship was an "intolerable offense" and said those who carried out the attack must be held accountable. Obama said the U.S. stands with the families of those killed and with the Iranian people.

The blast was the latest by the group Jundallah, which has repeatedly succeeded in carrying out deadly strikes on the Guard, the country's most powerful military force.

Shi'ite worshippers were attending ceremonies on Thursday marking the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein, when the first blast went off outside the mosque in the provincial capital Zahedan.

According to authorities, the first blast caused minimal damage, but it prompted people to rush to the site where they were caught by a second explosion.

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  • 35. 7 2
    Israel and the United States
    • Joyce
    • 17.07.10
    • 16:36

    are behind the heat wave here in the USA. They are behind the snow school closings in the winter. They are behind the fact that I paid $8.00 for a product that was clearly marked $6.99. That indeed was a Zionist plot!

  • 34. 9 2
    But of course! There is no one else in the world except Israel and the US that are the top experts in suicide bombings!
    • S
    • 17.07.10
    • 13:08

    This is a discovery of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. More (brain) power to them!

  • 33. 5 5
    If it is true.....and a big IF, that Israel/us/europe are linked with jubollah,
    • jj
    • 17.07.10
    • 12:19

    than, that should be a warning to the mullahs- if you contiue to mess with Israel via your proxy Hezbollah and Hamas, than Israel & co. can play your game too.

  • 32. 6 3
    Everyone knows the US & Israel was behind this...to bad you cant prove it...
    • Hussein
    • 17.07.10
    • 09:34

    so either step up your espionage game or quit !!! Only way you can hang with the big boys...

  • 31. 11 4
    i do not anderstand
    • meitav
    • 17.07.10
    • 08:31

    how country that produse nuclear weapons do not know who is really responsible that the terrorist attacks

  • 30. 9 22
    Us to blame for bombings
    • Eric of Manchester, NH.
    • 17.07.10
    • 06:16

    Well, it just sounds silly that the US is behind bombings at a mosque Our justice System would not allows such things. It just is not what we do. We try to vote out politicians we don't like. We simply do not demonstrate by bombing any peaceful place. We hold peaceful and healthy spirited public demonstrations. Most of us are absolutely disgusted with abortion. Yet, for the past 37 years 1001000+ Americans have peacefully marched in Washington DC to stop our Politicians from promoting abortion. You all have my deepest and most compassionate condolences with the God of Abraham. Eric of Manchester, NH.

  • 29. 10 3
    Iran
    • Mike
    • 17.07.10
    • 04:48

    At first they blamed the U.S. and the U.K? How could they possibly forget the "little satan"? What goes around comes around.

  • 28. 21 7
  • 27. 19 4
    Iran
    • hilel
    • 17.07.10
    • 03:12

    Its incredible that a democratic and free country as Iran, should have somebody opouse to it. It must be all the imperialistic countries that commit this crimes and probably also the martians.

  • 26. 16 10
    Israel should fund it's own terrorist group in Iran
    • 17.07.10
    • 02:32

    That will teach them. Seriously, my solution for Hamas too is to create a Jewish non government terrorist group, give them all the weapons and denounce them publicly while supporting them privately. Teach the world a lesson in precedence.

  • 25. 28 14
    That is very well possible
    • bobharis30
    • 17.07.10
    • 01:15

    Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India and Turkey etc ... when any country challenge the US or Israel they punish that country by causing instability ... Indians against Pakistani, Shiites against Suni muslims, turkish against Kurds etc ... One day this policy will backfire on them

  • 24. 32 11
    The backer of terrorism gets a taste of its own medicine
    • Conroy
    • 17.07.10
    • 00:53

    Iran who openly backs terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah (you know, the "party of god) gets a taste of its own terrorism medicine. How does it taste ahmedinejad?

  • 23. 22 6
    Sunni vs Shia
    • Arnold- Canada
    • 17.07.10
    • 00:30

    When all else fails blame it on someone else. Right now there are several Islamic and secular countries having sectarian violence. It just happens to be iran's turn this time.

  • 22. 12 2
    Iran
    • pen319073
    • 17.07.10
    • 00:27

    Have no illusions about who is planning, funding and providing intel for an insurgency in Iran. Although the real bloodshed won't occur until the Neocons are handed the election on a silver platter in 2012.

  • 21. 21 7
    Suicide bomb
    • Mike Kelso
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:56

    How ironic that those who fund suicide bombers are now victims of their own evil. Now they know personally what their leaders are unleashing on other innocent citizens minding their own business.

  • 20. 20 5
    Everything
    • Ying Yang
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:37

    Mr. Imanutjob: Iranian President. The US is responsible for turning your hair grey, for that boil growing in your groin area, for gay people, for killing your goldfish, and many other things you never expected. Don’t you forget it! Even the crabs in your underwear are US spies!

  • 19. 2 12
    Now that's credible
    • Dan
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:36

  • 18. 10 15
    Mediatic Manipulation
    • IC
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:36

    Anyone who thinks this Irani declaration is completely unfounded should explore the supposed sources behind western criticism of Iran. I certainly have an appreciation for Iran taking this war to the media: how is it any different from the propagandist drivel offered by American mediatic giants? Why is it so hard for us to accept Irani declarations as legitimate when we swallow any nonsense offered to us by our own governments?!

  • 17. 25 16
    The Mosque Killings in Iran
    • Sayleeman
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:26

    Only Muslims kill with such impunity and disregard for innocents. What kind of religion condones killing people during a worship service or on a pilgrimage? It isn't those of the Western World.

    • 0 0
      @sayleeman
      • josh
      • 17.07.10
      • 21:32

      wtf? am i on the jerusalem post website?? the US killed countless japanese with the atom bomb to send a warning to russia. For god's sake, is EVERYONE so stupidly, narrowly tribal?? i'm not defending Islam, i despise all religions, but you're a fool to think islam has a monopoly on inhumanity

  • 16. 18 6
    Iran Bombing
    • Drifter
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:25

    There is no need to instigate tensions between Shiite and Sunni Muslims, they do pretty good job at it for the last 1000 years, all by themselves. What else is new?

  • 15. 6 3
    Really?
    • irwinrsteffy
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:24

    Of course we are.

  • 14. 15 9
    The Mosque killings in Iran
    • Sayleman
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:23

    Only Muslims kill with such impunity and disregard for human life. What kind of religion condones killing innocents during a worship service or pilgrims on a religious holiday? It is not the those of the Western World.

  • 13. 19 14
    hah
    • bob
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:12

    give me a break. Propaganda and completely expected, typical response by Iranian govt.

  • 12. 4 1
    Link to group very possible, unlikely they backed this bombing though.
    • Jaff
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:11

    I wouldn't be surprised if there was some kind of link between Jundollah and Israel / US in terms of funding or resources. I find it unlikely that they planned this bombing though, as raising tensions between sunni / shiite civilians is counterproductive to Afghanistan and Iraq. Also the Iranian guard is well known for their forced confessions and lack of consistency.

  • 11. 3 4
    Link to group very possible, unlikely they backed this bombing though.
    • Jaff
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:11

    I wouldn't be surprised if there was some kind of link between Jundollah and Israel / US in terms of funding or resources. I find it unlikely that they planned this bombing though, as raising tensions between sunni / shiite civilians is counterproductive to Afghanistan and Iraq. Also the Iranian guard is well known for their forced confessions and lack of consistency.

  • 10. 19 6
    That's a stretch...
    • asdff
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:04

    That's a stretch to say that because America supports a certain religious affiliation, that means America directly supports radical suicide bombers who identify with that affiliation. The finger pointing at "Zionists" and zionist supporters (USA) is not surprising, coming from a regime that claims the Holocaust was an exaggeration.

  • 9. 35 23
    Iran
    • Sam in USA
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:03

    Why does anyone believe anything from any police state, including Iran?

  • 8. 52 53
    Llyn
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:02

    israeli agitators are active in almost every country that they are able to cause trouble where it is beneficial to Israel in the slightest way. Beware, you really are not as clever as you people believe you are.

  • 7. 34 26
    grow up
    • Stephen Real
    • 16.07.10
    • 23:01

    When will these people grow up? Nobod'y buying that B.S.

    • 3 1
      stephen real
      • truth
      • 17.07.10
      • 17:03

      thats funny stephen, you seem to buy all the BS you are fed through your bias media. I think its you who needs to grow up, and maybe do a bit more reading, instead of believing everything that Fox news tells you. lol

  • 6. 26 29
    Responsibility
    • Chaim Gorenstein
    • 16.07.10
    • 22:59

    This was not at the hands of US or Israel. This only proves that the war within Islam is alive and well and that the US and Israel should support the Sunni's overthrow of the Shiites. Let the games begin. The battle for Allah coming to a war theater near you.

    • 9 0
      Yeah, great idea
      • Mark in Boston
      • 17.07.10
      • 07:12

      Supporting Sunni Muslims over Shiites has never backfired before! Al Qaeda, Iraqi Baathism and the Wahabi movement are all Shiite movements, right? Let's be serious here... Com

  • 5. 37 7
    We need World Peace
    • Just Me
    • 16.07.10
    • 22:56

    Why is this world causing choas to one another? We are all the same, aren't we? Doesnt matter if we are Muslims or Christians, we need to stop killing each other. When will this world relize that killing doesnt do any good? Now a days the Muslims kill other Muslims and Christians kill other Christians? In the end it doesnt matter because we are all human beings. Everybody needs to learn to get along with each other and we need World Peace ASAP because of all these people die for their leaders who give them orders, not for their religion or for their country. Wake up people!

    • 1 2
      Just Me
      • The Teache/Instruct 17.7.19
      • 17.07.10
      • 15:27

      What you said,is in the idealistic world. An aspiration of good-minded people all over the world. But Alas !.Look around you:Terror.Hatred.Lies & Wonton destruction. Do you think or believe that the Taliban,or Hezbollah,or Hamas would give 2 hoots for an 'Ideal World' with no killings murder & rape ? After all their Ideals are precisely the opposite. They want to put their heads under the Guillotine, & go as fast as possible to meet,one or all the 72 Virgins ! Gosh & with no head !

  • 4. 32 23
    False flag?
    • Pulse
    • 16.07.10
    • 22:53

    Or maybe it's a false flag, meaning the Iranian government is behind the attack in order to blame Israel and the US as a pretext to initiating further hostilities against Israel and the US?

  • 3. 9 36
    Accusations on mosque bomb
    • graczek
    • 16.07.10
    • 22:47

    The battle against Zionism must be carried on with thuth. As vile as Israel is, accusing it of something it did not do and probably would never do makes the war of words against the Zionists look a bit ridiculous. Stay on track!

  • 2. 48 35
    Blame US and Israel
    • Mike
    • 16.07.10
    • 22:43

    Of course they would blame them. They blame them for everything. They would even blame them if a dog got hit by a car...Its the fault of the "infidels"...what a joke!!!

    • 18 15
      Blame Iran and Syria
      • JimmyLoz
      • 17.07.10
      • 00:12

      And the US and Israel blame Iran and Syria for everything. Notice a pattern? It's a pre-school blame game. We will never know the truth except our own inner truth.

  • 1. 51 48
    wouldn't doubt it tbh
    • avi
    • 16.07.10
    • 21:59

    specifically the part about america. we've been supporting the sunnis as they try to kill iranian shia for decades now, and that's a fact. go look up who we gave money to during the iran-iraq war in the 80s.

    • 40 18
      Your 100% spot on
      • Chris.b
      • 16.07.10
      • 22:46

      And the bad thing is they will turn against their sponsors one day as well. America and Isreal have short memories when it comes to using these groups. The freedom fighter of today is tommorrows suicide bomber

    • 4 10
      simply mispoken
      • null
      • 16.07.10
      • 23:05

      Avi your observations are simple at best and sophmoric in the least. This is not the first time Jundallah has done it's dirty work in Iran.

    • 7 1
      Yerp.
      • false epiphany
      • 16.07.10
      • 23:39

      I add a third hand to this thought. It wouldn't be surprising at all. Not even a little bit.

    • 13 2
      Indeed
      • Monte
      • 16.07.10
      • 23:53

      America follows the expression "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"... it tends to be a very stupid mentality as those "friends" can very easily not be your friends and will turn on you the moment their first enemy is gone... This kind of mentality has allowed the US to ally with and support the worst kinds of people and make huge mistakes that only contribute to the ongoing chaos

    • 6 12
      So, there's an oppressed Sunni minority
      • aVI
      • 17.07.10
      • 00:01

      And an organization that claimed responsibility for the attack since Iran executed it's leader, but let's not let the facts get in the way of our interests of bashing Israel and the US!

    • 19 1
      to the other avi
      • avi
      • 17.07.10
      • 03:55

      i guess you didn't take my advice... in the iraq-iran war the US gave a ton of money, military equipment, and diplomatic support to iraq. the US didn't sully their own hands, they got the sunnis (iraqis in this case) to do it for them. that's the point... this has been a trend throughout recent american history. btw, guess who was the leader of iraq at the time...? none other than honorary citizen of detroit, saddam hussein.