Two suicide attacks on Iran mosque kill more than 20

Two suicide bombings at a Shiite mosque in heavily Sunni southeast Iran killed more than 20 people, including worshippers and members of the elite Revolutionary Guards, state media reported.



The attack came as people celebrated the birthday of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed, a day also set apart each year to honour the Revolutionary Guards.

More than 100 people were wounded in the attacks, which came only minutes apart, at the Jamia mosque in the restive city of Zahedan, capital of southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province.

"Two explosions in front of the Zahedan Jamia mosque left more than 100 wounded and more than 20 martyred," Fariborz Rashedi, the head of the emergency services of Sistan-Baluchestan province, told state news agency IRNA.

Zahedan MP Hossein Ali Shahriari told Fars news agency the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers one after another, with the first by a man dressed as a woman.

"The attacker, dressed in women's clothing, was trying to get into the mosque, but was prevented" when the first blast took place, Shahriari said.

"When people came to rescue those hit in that blast, another bomber blew himself up."

IRNA said the first attack struck around 9:20 pm (2200IST).

Deputy Interior Minister Ali Abdollahi confirmed that the first attack was carried out by a suicide bomber near the entrance of the mosque where worshippers were being frisked before entering.

"That attack resulted in the martyrdom of several, including some of the Revolutionary Guards," he said.

Abdollahi said the second attack left more casualties as it took place when people rushed to the site of the first bombing.

Zahedan has been repeatedly hit by attacks blamed on Sunni rebel group Jundallah (Soldiers of God), which plays on feelings of resentment among ethnic Baluchis in the province. The group's leader, Abdolmalek Rigi, was hanged on June 20 after he was captured in a dramatic operation by Iranian agents.

Soon after his death, the group vowed to avenge his execution.

Jundallah has carried out several deadly attacks in Sistan-Baluchestan, including on the Guards.

The group says it has been fighting for nearly a decade to secure rights for Sunni Baluchis who form a significant proportion of the population in the province.