2010 Zahedan bombings

2010 Zahedan bombings

Sistan and Baluchistan Province highlighted within Iran
Location Zahedan, Sistan-Baluchestan, Iran
Date 15 July 2010 (UTC+4½)
Target Shia worshippers
Attack type Suicide bombings
Deaths 27+[1][2]
Injured 270+[2][3]
Perpetrator(s) Jundullah

The 2010 Zahedan bombings were two suicide bombings on 15 July 2010 that targeted Shia worshippers in Iran, including members of the Revolutionary Guards.[4] The bombings targeted those celebrating the birthday of a Muslim saint at the Jamia mosque in Zahedan, Sistan-Baluchestan. Responsibility for the attacks was claimed by Jundullah in revenge for the execution of their leader by the Iranian government. Amongst the reactions and national and supranational condemnations, Iran blamed the USA and Israel for facilitating the attack.

Contents

Background

In the months before the attack, Iran captured and executed the leader of Jundullah Abdolmalek Rigi and his brother Abdolhamid Rigi. In retaliation, Jundullah vowed revenge for his execution.[3]

This attack was also similar to another attack in the same city last year, which also targeted a mosque and killed several high-ranking Revolutionary Guards. The group have carried out many more attacks against the Guards in the province.

Attacks

The attacks occurred as worshippers were celebrating the birthday of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

Iran's deputy interior minister said "a suicide operation was carried out in the Jamia mosque, which left several martyrs [dead] and several wounded. The first explosion took place behind a checkpoint and a number of Revolutionary Guard members were killed and injured because of it." Hossein Ali Shahriari, a Zahedan member of parliament, said that two suicide attacks occurred one after another, with the first one carried out by a bomber dressed as a woman. "The attacker, dressed in women's clothing, was trying to get in the mosque, but was prevented. When people came to rescue those hit in that blast, another bomber blew himself up. Three to four have been killed at least in the first attack."[1]

In addition to the 27 killed, eleven people were in critical condition. The Minister of Health, Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi, said a specialized medical team has been dispatched to the city to rush aid to the victims.[2]

Investigations

Two days after the attack, Iranian police arrested 40 people for "creating disturbances." Deputy police chief, Geneneral Ahmad Reza Radan, said the police had arrested people who "intended to create insecurity in the city of Zahedan after the bombing."[5]

Responsibility

In an email to Al-Arabiya, Jundallah said the attacks were a response to the execution of its leaders and also threatened more such attacks.[1]

Reactions

Domestic reactions

An Iranian Sunni cleric, Molavi Nazir Ahmad Salami, condemned the attack and urged vigilance against creating a rift between Shias and Sunnis. He said "The terrorist bombings were carried out in front of Zahedan's Grand Mosque with the aim of undermining Shia-Sunni unity and solidarity among the brave border-guarding people of the region and thus people should be on alert. This bestial crime left yet another stain of disgrace on the dark record of the global arrogance."[12]

Hossein-Ali Shahriari, the Zahedan representative to the Majlis, tendered his resignation telling the Speaker Ali Larijani that he was resigning due to the inability of authorities to maintain security in his constituency.[13] Two more representatives from the province, Abbas-Ali Noura and Peyman Forouzesh also resign for the same reason.[14]

On 17 July, tens of thousands of mourners amassed in Zahedan for the burial of the dead.[15]

International organizations
Other states

See also

Iran portal
Terrorism portal

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Jundallah claims deadly Iran blasts". Al Jazeera English. 16 July 2010. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/07/201071518824599686.html. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c "Minister: 27 killed, around 270 injured in July 15 blasts". Irna.ir. http://www.irna.ir/En/View/FullStory/?NewsId=1229265&IdLanguage=3. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  3. ^ a b "Deaths in Iran mosque attack". Al Jazeera English. 15 July 2010. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/07/201071518824599686.html. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  4. ^ "More than 20 dead' in suicide bomb blasts in Iran". BBC. 15 July 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-10655900. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  5. ^ a b c "Iran blames West over mosque attack - Middle East". Al Jazeera English. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/07/201071775358394775.html. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  6. ^ http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=147229&language=en
  7. ^ "Ahmadinejad: US behind terror attacks". Presstv.ir. http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=135320&sectionid=351020101. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  8. ^ a b Ian Black, Middle East editor (2010-07-16). "Iran accuses US and UK of supporting group behind mosque attacks | World news". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/16/iran-us-uk-mosque-attacks. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  9. ^ "'West, Israel linked to SE Iran blasts'". Presstv.ir. http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=134983&sectionid=351020101. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  10. ^ Mostafavi, Ramin (2010-07-17). "Iran Guards warn U.S. of fallout over bomb attack". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66G0NT20100717?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  11. ^ http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=135504&sectionid=351020101
  12. ^ "'Iran blast aimed to cause sectarian rift'". Presstv.ir. http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=135057&sectionid=351020101. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  13. ^ "MP resigns after Zahedan terror attack". Presstv.ir. http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=135017&sectionid=351020101. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  14. ^ http://www.islamidavet.com/english/2010/07/18/third-mp-resigns-over-zahedan-blasts/
  15. ^ "Zahedan bombings victims laid to rest | İslâmi Davet – Islamic Invitation". Islamidavet.com. http://www.islamidavet.com/english/2010/07/17/zahedan-bombings-victims-laid-to-rest/. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  16. ^ "UN chief condemns Zahedan bombings". Presstv.ir. http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=135069&sectionid=351020101. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  17. ^ "Security Council strongly condemns suicide bombings in Iran". News.xinhuanet.com. 2010-07-15. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-07/17/c_13401596.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  18. ^ http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=135194&sectionid=351020101
  19. ^ "Canada Condemns Mosque Bombing in Iran". 16 July 2010. http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?m=/index&nid=548129. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  20. ^ http://german.irib.ir/nachrichten/politik/item/113237-koenig-von-jordanien-verurteilt-terroranschlag-in-zahedan
  21. ^ "'US-backed agencies behind Iran blasts'". Presstv.ir. http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=135068&sectionid=351020101. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  22. ^ "Al-ManarTV:: Hezbollah Condemns Iran's Terrorist Blasts 16 July 2010". Almanar.com.lb. http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=146638&language=en. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  23. ^ "UK - MFA - Iran bomb attacks" (in (French)). Isria.com. 2010-07-09. http://www.isria.com/pages/16_July_2010_189.php. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  24. ^ "Obama condemns mosque bombings in Iran". News.xinhuanet.com. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-07/17/c_13401559.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
  25. ^ "http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=126963&sectionid=351020101". Press TV. 2010-05-19. http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=126963&sectionid=351020101. Retrieved 2010-07-16. 
  26. ^ "Amiri Speaks About Abduction, Torture". Al-Manar TV. 2010-07-15. http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=146354&language=en. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  27. ^ "Daily Press Briefing - July 16". State.gov. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2010/07/144770.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 

External links

Press TV-Iran Today-July 2010 Zahedan Bombings-07-30-2010(Part1) on YouTube