Iran Blasts Timed for President Visit

Agence France-Presse:

A double bomb attack in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz today occurred at the same time President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had been scheduled to visit the city, an aide to the president has said.

Six people were killed and 24 injured in the double bomb attack, state television reported.

But Mr Ahmadinejad's visit was cancelled at the last moment due to bad weather. READ MORE

"President Ahmadinejad's visit to the province was cancelled yesterday afternoon because of bad weather," said the official, who asked for his name not to be used.

"The president had been scheduled to give a speech this morning in Ahvaz, although the bombs did not explode in the same place where the speech was scheduled to have been delivered," he said.

The state television report said the first bomb exploded in front of a privately-run bank, killing six and injuring 15.

The second blast, in front of a government office for natural resources, injured nine.

Situated close to the border with British-controlled southern Iraq, Ahvaz has been hit by a wave of deadly unrest over the past year, including riots in April 2005 and a string of car bombings prior to Iran's presidential election last June.

The area is dominated by ethnic minority Arabs.

Iran has pointed the finger at Britain, which has angrily denied any involvement and which has in turn accused of Iran of being linked to unrest in Iraq.