Ahmadinejad sees “footprints of Iraq’s occupiers” in Iran blasts

Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Jan. 25 – Iran’s hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused the United States and Britain of being behind twin bomb attacks in the southern Iranian city of Ahwaz. Iran Focus

Tehran, Iran, Jan. 25 – Iran’s hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused the United States and Britain of being behind twin bomb attacks in the southern Iranian city of Ahwaz.

At least eight people died and dozens were injured when two bombs exploded at a bank and a government building in the oil-rich city on Tuesday.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Tehran Wednesday morning, Ahmadinejad said, “The footprints of the occupiers of Iraq in the events in Ahwaz are crystal clear and they must accept responsibility for their criminal actions”.

Separately, Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki accused Britain of involvement in the two bombings.

“Britain must answer the Iranian nation’s questions regarding the events in Ahwaz and the terrorist explosions in Khuzestan [Province”>”, Mottaki said.

Ahwaz, the capital of the Arab-dominated province of Khuzestan, has been the scene of unremitting anti-government protests since the start of 2005. Iran has pointed the finger at Britain as the primary instigator of anti-government violence in Khuzestan.

Mottaki said that London had to be answerable for the “cooperation and support of the occupying forces in Basra and the disturbances, explosions, and events that have occurred in Khuzestan”.

The Iranian foreign minister said that his country’s intelligence service was sure that the attacks were planned in either London or in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, where British troops are based.

“Yesterday’s attacks were carried out by individuals who along with their likeminded colleagues in London proudly take photos with British officials. In Basra they are supported by British army commanders. The British government must be held accountable to the Iranian nation”, Mottaki said.