Iran blames Mahabad attack on Israel

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman says the terrorist attack in the city of Mahabad is Israel’s reaction to Tehran’s successful diplomacy in New York.

“The terrorist attack in Mahabad is the reaction of Israeli agents and the supporters of the Zionist regime [of Israel] to the country’s defensive prowess in the Sacred Defense Week and the successes of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s active diplomacy in the biggest international arena in New York,” Ramin Mehmanparast said on Wednesday.

A bomb explosion in West Azarbaijan Province on Wednesday left 12 people dead and 70 others injured. The terrorist attack took place where people were watching a military parade. No group or person has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing.

“This terrorist attack coincided with the influential presence of the Iranian delegation headed by Dr. Ahmadinejad in New York and his influential public diplomacy in raising public awareness as well as his defense of our country’s rightful stances,” IRNA quoted Mehmanparast as saying.

The foreign ministry spokesman referred to the 1980-1988 Iraqi-imposed war and said Iran has now reached the level of authority and capability to powerfully deter its enemies and defend its borders.

“The enemies of the Muslim nation of Iran, especially the Zionist regime [of Israel] and its supporters, cannot tolerate this power [and might to defend the country],” Mehmanparast said.

He added that the enemies are targeting the Iranian nation’s resilience, but they do not know that such measures have no effect on the will of the people and the officials of the Islamic Republic.