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Iran military parade attacked by gunmen in Ahvaz | Iran military parade attacked by gunmen in Ahvaz |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Gunmen have opened fire on an Iranian military parade in the south-western city of Ahvaz, killing at least 24 people including civilians, and injuring more than 50, state media say. | |
The attackers shot from a park near the parade and were wearing military uniforms, reports say. | The attackers shot from a park near the parade and were wearing military uniforms, reports say. |
Iran's foreign minister said "terrorists" backed by "a foreign regime" were behind the attack. | Iran's foreign minister said "terrorists" backed by "a foreign regime" were behind the attack. |
State media and officials have blamed Sunni militants or Arab nationalists. | State media and officials have blamed Sunni militants or Arab nationalists. |
Iran is marking the anniversary of the beginning of the 1980-88 war with Iraq with several military parades across the nation. | |
What happened? | |
Fars news agency said the attack started at 09:00 local time (06:30 BST) and appeared to involve four gunmen. | Fars news agency said the attack started at 09:00 local time (06:30 BST) and appeared to involve four gunmen. |
The attackers fired at civilians and attempted to attack military officials on the podium, Fars reports. | The attackers fired at civilians and attempted to attack military officials on the podium, Fars reports. |
Eight members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard and a journalist are among those killed, reports say. | Eight members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard and a journalist are among those killed, reports say. |
"There are a number of non-military victims, including women and children who had come to watch the parade," Irna news agency said. | |
Two of the gunmen were killed by security forces, while the other two were arrested, according to the local deputy governor, Ali Hosein Hoseinzadeh. | |
Who could be behind the attack? | |
No group has said it carried out the attack, which lasted for about 10 minutes. | No group has said it carried out the attack, which lasted for about 10 minutes. |
However, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said: "Iran holds regional terror sponsors and their US masters accountable." | However, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said: "Iran holds regional terror sponsors and their US masters accountable." |
Iran has previously accused its regional rival, Saudi Arabia, of supporting separatist activity amongst Iran's Arab minority. | Iran has previously accused its regional rival, Saudi Arabia, of supporting separatist activity amongst Iran's Arab minority. |
There was no immediate response from the Saudi government. | |