The Sunni Muslim terrorist group Jundallah has claimed responsibility for a double suicide bombing that killed 28 in Iran, and the two suicide bombers left photos and other evidence of their intentions before perpetrating the attack. Despite that, Iranian leaders have pinned blame for the attacks on Israel and America.
"Today, the country is mourning the tragic explosion in Zahedan which was done with the backing of Americans,” said Parliament speaker Ali Larijani.
"Once more the wicked hand of America appeared out of the sleeves of ignorant and mercenary people,” accused cleric Khazem Sediqi.
Iranian leaders have previously accused America of backing Jundallah in order to destabilize the Iranian regime. United States leaders deny the charges. US President Barack Obama condemned the Zahedan bombing, which took place in a Shiite mosque, as “outrageous.”
Israel came in for blame as well. Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammed Najjar said, “The terrorist act by the Zionists had a number of objectives, including creating division between Shiites and Sunnis.”
The head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' political bureau, General Yadollah Javani, made similar statements in an interview with the Fars new agency.
Jundallah said the attacks were carried out by terrorists Mohammed Rigi and Abdolbaset Rigi in retaliation for the execution of Jundallah leader Abdolmalek Rigi, who was killed in June.