Ahvaz Attack: Iran Warns US, “Israel” of Revenge

Local Editor

The deputy head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned US and “Israeli” leaders Monday to expect a "devastating" response from Tehran, accusing them of involvement in an attack on a military parade in the city of Ahvaz.

Thousands of people packed the streets of the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz to mourn the victims of Saturday's assault that martyred 25 people, including 12 members of the elite Revolutionary Guards.

The assault, one of the worst against the most powerful military force of the Islamic Republic, struck a blow at its security establishment at a time when the United States and its Gulf allies are working to isolate Tehran.

"You have seen our revenge before ... You will see that our response will be crushing and devastating and you will regret what you have done," Hossein Salami said in a speech before the funeral of the victims in Ahvaz, broadcast live on the state television.

Iran's intelligence minister, Mahmoud Alavi, said a large network of suspects had already been arrested in connection with the attack, the judiciary's news agency Mizan reported.

Iran has declared Monday a national day of mourning. Public offices, banks, schools and universities will be closed in Khuzestan province.

Four assailants fired on a viewing stand in Ahvaz where Iranian officials had gathered to watch an annual event marking the start of the Islamic Republic's 1980-88 war with Iraq.

Daesh' [Arabic Acronym for the terrorist “ISIS” “ISIL” group] Amaq agency posted a video of three men in a vehicle who it said were on their way to carry out the attack.

Senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps [IRGC] have said the Ahvaz attack was carried out by militants trained by Gulf States and “Israel”, and backed by America.

 Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team