Iran Claims Proof of British Link to Bomb Attacks

Nasser Karimi, The Associated Press:

Iran's intelligence minister said yesterday that Tehran has proof of a British connection to suspects in bombings in southern Iran. Tehran has previously accused Britain and other countries of a link to the bombings, but the statement by Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejehi was the first time it claimed to have actual evidence of such a connection.

"Involvement of some terrorist networks in Ahvaz bombings and their foreign ties, especially with Britain, has been proved," he said.

The Foreign Office said: "We have made very clear that these allegations are completely without foundation. These are terrorist actions and we have nothing to do with them."

In October, two blasts at a shopping centre in the southern city of Ahvaz killed six people . Iranian security officials said the devices used in the October blasts were similar to four bombs that hit Ahvaz in June, killing eight people.

More than 30 suspects were detained for the bombings, and officials said they were trained abroad and that some confessed to having foreign ties, without naming a country or elaborating on evidence.

State media said the attacks were guided from abroad, and officials suggested that Britain may have a hand in provoking unrest there, but never provided evidence. READ MORE