[Published: Tuesday September 25 2018]
 Iran arrests '22 people' over Ahvaz attack
TEHRAN 25 Sep (ANA) - Iran's intelligence ministry reportedly says 22 people have been arrested in connection with Saturday's gun attack on a military parade in Ahvaz.
A statement reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency also said "weapons, exclusive material and communication equipment were seized".
The ministry blamed a "five-member terrorist group" for the attack.
Iran's president alleged on Sunday the men were armed by a Gulf state allied with the US.
The deputy head of the Revolutionary Guards meanwhile warned the US and Israel to expect a "devastating" response, accusing them of involvement.
But US defence secretary Jim Mattis called Iran's claims of US involvement "ludicrous", and told reporters he was not concerned by the threats.
"We've been very clear that they shouldn't take us on like that," he said. "And I am hopeful that cooler, wiser heads will prevail."
Ethnic Arab separatists and the Islamic State group (IS) have issued competing claims that they carried out the attack, which was the deadliest in Iran in almost a decade.
The parade in Ahvaz - the capital of the south-western border province of Khuzestan - marked the anniversary of the start of Iran's 1980-88 war with Iraq.
Four gunmen reportedly wearing military uniforms opened fire on troops taking part in the event, bystanders, and a viewing stand for officials.
At least eight of those killed were Revolutionary Guards personnel. Women, children and a disabled war veteran were also among the victims, officials said.
On Monday, thousands of people gathered outside the Sarallah mosque in central Ahvaz for their funerals.
The coffins were draped in Iranian flags and mourners carried pictures of those killed, as well as banners saying "we will stand to the end" and "no to terrorism".(ANA)
FA/ANA/25 September 2018--------
|
No Alcohol/Healthy