AP: Iran has raised the death toll among elite troops killed in Sunday's suicide bombing and now says 15 Revolutionary Guard members were among the 42 people killed. The Associated Press
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran has raised the death toll among elite troops killed in Sunday's suicide bombing and now says 15 Revolutionary Guard members were among the 42 people killed.
A state TV report on Tuesday gave the latest toll.
Previously, five Guard members were reported killed, including the highest ranking victim — acting commander of the Guard's ground forces, Gen. Noor Ali Shooshtari.
The official IRNA news agency says two policemen were fatally shot Monday evening in an ambush by unidentified gunmen in Iranshahr, a town near the site of Sunday's blast.
The lawless region has seen frequent clashes between security forces and drug smugglers, and also Sunni militants claiming to fight for equal rights for Baluchi-Sunni minority.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's foreign minister says investigators are still questioning three American hikers detained in late July after straying into Iran.
Manouchehr Mottaki says the fate of the three rests with judicial authorities — suggesting that formal charges are still possible against them.
Mottaki spoke at a news conference on Tuesday. He did not say how long the investigation could take.
The three Americans were arrested after straying over the border during a hike in northern Iraq. They have been visited by Swiss diplomats, who oversee U.S. interests in Iran.
In an interview with The Associated Press last month, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he would ask the country's judiciary to expedite the process and "look at the case with maximum leniency."
