The representative of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the south-western Khuzestan Province was the latest figure to accuse the United States and Britain of being responsible for Tuesdays twin bombings in the oil-rich city of Ahwaz.
Seyyed Mohammad Ali Jazayeri, a senior Shiite cleric and the Supreme Leader’s representative in Khuzestan Province, told the government-run Fars news agency on Thursday that the attacks which left nine people dead were a plot hatched by American and Britain
There is no doubt the terrorist explosions in Ahwaz were planned by the United States and Britain, Jazayeri said.
The agents behind these criminal acts are sponsored by the World Arrogance (United States). They intend to disturb our peace and tranquillity, discourage our determined nation, loosen our solidarity and disperse us and set the ground in order to eventually cause internal disputes and civil war. And these are all done to serve the interests of the Zionists, he added.
At least nine people died and 46 were injured when two bombs exploded at a bank and a government building in Ahwaz.
Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Tehran on Wednesday, hard-line Iranian President Mahmoud 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.
Irans Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters on Wednesday that Britain had to be held to account for its role in the twin bombings.
Britain must answer the Iranian nations 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 countrys 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.
Yesterdays 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.
