Iran holds US, allies accountable for terror attack

Iranian leaders have blamed the United States and its regional allies for a deadly attack on a military parade in the southwestern city of Ahvaz that killed at least 25 people and injured around 60 others.

Ali Hossein Hossein Zadeh, political deputy of the Khuzestan governor, said military personnel and civilians who had gathered to watch the parade were among those killed, according to Iran's IRNA news agency.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the attack as part of a wider effort by US allies in the region to create instability inside Iran.

“This crime is the extension of the plots by the US allies in the region, seeking to create insecurity in Iran,” Khamenei said in a statement.

He added that Iran would continue what he called its “path of honour” and overcome efforts aimed at destabilising the country.

President Hassan Rouhani also accused those who provided propaganda and intelligence support to the attackers of being responsible for the assault. He directed the country's intelligence agencies to identify and arrest those behind the attack.

Rouhani warned that Iran would respond forcefully to any threat against the country, saying the Islamic Republic would deliver a “crushing response” to even the slightest threat.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also said Iran would respond “swiftly and decisively” in defence of Iranian lives.

The attack took place during a military parade marking the anniversary of the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War. Four armed men wearing uniforms resembling those of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) opened fire on participants and spectators.

Iranian authorities said two of the attackers were killed, while two others were arrested.

An Iranian Arab separatist group, Al-Ahvazieh, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was fighting for the rights of Arabs living in Khuzestan province.

The group is regarded by Iran as a separatist and terrorist organisation. Tehran has accused Saudi Arabia, its regional rival, of supporting the group — an allegation that has added to the wider tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The attack came amid heightened regional and international tensions involving Iran, the US and their respective allies. Tehran's accusations against Washington and its regional partners were likely to further intensify those tensions following one of the deadliest attacks on Iranian soil in recent years.