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Lebanon blasts near Iran's embassy in Beirut Lebanon blasts target Iran's embassy in Beirut
(35 minutes later)
Seven people have been reported killed as explosions struck near the Iranian embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut. Seven people are reported to have been killed in explosions which targeted the Iranian embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut.
Conflicting reports say the blasts could have come from rockets or a car bomb. Several buildings were damaged, eyewitnesses said. TV images showed flames rising from several vehicles, charred bodies on the streets and rubble from buildings.
It is not yet clear whether the blasts were caused by rockets or car bombs.
Iran is a major backer of the Lebanaese Shia militant group Hezbollah, which has sent fighters to Syria to back the government of Bashar al-Assad.Iran is a major backer of the Lebanaese Shia militant group Hezbollah, which has sent fighters to Syria to back the government of Bashar al-Assad.
The conflict in Syria has worsened sectarian tensions in Lebanon. The Syrian conflict has increased sectarian tensions in Lebanon.
The area around the Iranian embassy, in south Beirut, is considered a Hezbollah stronghold. South Beirut, including the area around the Iranian embassy, is considered a Hezbollah stronghold. It has been hit with several attacks in recent months.
On 15 August, 16 people were killed in a blast in south Beirut believed to be linked to the spillover into Lebanon from the Syrian conflict. It is not clear whether the ambassador or any diplomatic staff were among the victims.
The main gate to the embassy was blown out and there was damage to the three-storey building, the Associated Press reported.
AP and the Hezbollah TV channel al-Manar quoted sources saying that the first blast was caused by a suicide bomber, while the second was a car bomb, which did much more damage.
However, this has not been officially confirmed.
On 15 August, 27 people were killed in a car bomb in south Beirut believed to have been targeting a Sunni Muslim cleric opposed to Hezbollah. The cleric was unhurt.
Hezbollah fighters were instrumental in a strategic victory by Syrian government forces in Qusair, close to the border with Lebanon, in early June.Hezbollah fighters were instrumental in a strategic victory by Syrian government forces in Qusair, close to the border with Lebanon, in early June.