Suicide Bomber Kills 41 Revolutionary Guards In Iran

Iran's Fars news agency released a photo showing what it said was the wreckage of the bus

New York Times: Bombing Kills 41 Revolutionary Guards in Iran, Government Says

TEHRAN — A suicide bomber killed 41 members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps on a bus in a restive region of southeast Iran on Wednesday, Iranian media reported. It was among the deadliest attacks in Iran in years.

The Revolutionary Guards quickly blamed the United States for the assault, which came during the week that Iran’s leaders have been celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Islamic revolution that overthrew the American-backed shah in 1979. The Revolutionary Guards did not explain precisely how the Americans could have been involved in the attack.

Dispatches by the official Islamic Republic News Agency and the Fars News Agency said the victims had been traveling between the cities of Zahedan and Khash near the Pakistan border, a haven for militant separatist groups and drug smugglers.

After initially reporting that at least 20 people had died in the attack, with an additional 20 wounded, Fars updated the death toll to at least 41 — suggesting that everyone on the bus had been killed.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: A group is already taking credit for this attack .... Jaish al Adl militant group claims responsibility for attack against Iran's Revolutionary Guards: Fars news (Reuters).

More News On Today's Suicide Attack In Iran

Suicide terrorist attack martyrs, injures dozens in SE Iran -- MEHR News Agency (Iran)
Terrorists target IRGC bus in southeastern Iran -- Press TV (Iran)
URGENT: Dozens of IRGC Members Martyred in Terrorist Attack in Southeastern Iran -- FARS News Agency
Report: At least 20 Guard personnel killed in Iran bombing -- AP
Suicide attack on Iran Revolutionary Guards bus kills 20 -- AFP
Suicide attack on Iran's Revolutionary Guards kills 30 -- CNN
Iran suicide bombing 'kills 20 Revolutionary Guards' -- BBC
Suicide attack kills 20 members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard -- Al Jazeera

Iran Is Now Saying That 'Jihadist Separatists' Were Behind Attack On Military Parade

AFP: Iran says 'jihadist separatists' behind attack as probe points to ISPP

Iran on Tuesday identified the perpetrators of a deadly attack on a military parade as "jihadist separatists", announcing a series of arrests and appearing to tie the Islamic State group to the bloodshed.

The intelligence ministry published photos of the five men it said carried out the assault Saturday in the southwestern city of Ahvaz that killed 24 people including civilians.

"The five members of a terrorist squad affiliated to jihadist separatist groups supported by Arab reactionary countries were identified," the ministry said in a statement.

"The terrorists' hideout was found and 22 people involved (in the attack) were arrested," it said, adding that explosives were seized along with military and communications equipment.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Islamic State has already posted a video of who was responsible for this attack .... Islamic State video allegedly shows perpetrators of attack on Iranian military parade (Long War Journal).

Iran Blames U.S. Backed Allies In The Region For Today's Terror Attack In Ahvaz

BBC: Iran blames Gulf rivals for deadly Ahvaz attack

Iranian leaders have accused US-backed Gulf states of being behind an attack on a military parade that killed 25 people, including a child.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said "puppets of the US" were trying to "create insecurity" in Iran.

Gunmen opened fire at Revolutionary Guard troops and officials in the south-western city of Ahvaz.

Earlier an anti-government Arab group, Ahvaz National Resistance, and Islamic State (IS) both claimed the attack.

Read more ....

More News On Iran Blaming U.S. Backed Allies In The Region For Today's Terror Attack In Ahvaz

Ahvaz parade attack terrorists trained in two Persian Gulf littoral states -- Mehr News Agency (Iran)
Iran's Khamenei blames Gulf Arab states for military parade attack -- Reuters
Iran says military parade attackers trained by two Gulf states -- Middle East Monitor
Iran blames Gulf states for military parade attack -- Euronews
Iran holds U.S., regional allies accountable for Ahvaz deadly terror attack -- New China
Iran blames ‘regional terror sponsors & their US masters’ after military parade attack -- RT
Iran summons some European envoys over attack on military parade: IRNA -- Reuters
Iran regime fears foreign support for minority groups after attack -- Jerusalem Post
Ahvaz was ‘soft target’ for terrorists, likely backed by Saudi – Iranian experts -- RT
Who attacked Iran's military parade? -- Nic Robertson, CNN
Iran: Who was responsible for the deadly attack in Ahvaz? -- Al Jazeera
Timeline of recent attacks in Iran by militant groups -- AFP

Scores Killed When Gunmen Attack A Military Parade In Southwestern Iran

Long War Journal: Gunmen attack military parade in southwestern Iran

A team of gunmen assaulted a military parade in Ahvaz, a city in southwestern Iran, earlier today. Initial reports by Iranian state media indicate that two dozen people, including members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and civilians, were killed.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack via its Amaq News Agency. Amaq initially stated that a team inghimasis, or well-trained guerrilla fighters who immerse themselves in battle, struck the parade while Iranian president Hassan Rouhani was in attendance. Amaq quickly issued a correction, saying that Rouhani was not in fact in attendance.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Islamic State is taking credit for this attack .... Islamic State group claims Iran parade attack: propaganda agency (AFP).

More News On Today's Terror Attack Against A Military Parade In Southwestern Iran

Gunmen attack Iran military parade, killing at least 25 -- AP
Gunmen kill 25, including 12 Revolutionary Guards, in attack on Iran military parade -- Reuters
Iran military parade attacked by gunmen in Ahvaz -- BBC
Iran's Revolutionary Guards targeted in Ahvaz military parade -- Al Jazeera
Terrorists kill Iranian children and soldiers in military parade attack -- The Guardian
24 killed in attack on Iranian military parade -- CNN
Gunmen attack Iranian military parade in Ahvas, killing dozens -- ABC News Online
Up to 25 killed, 50+ injured during attack on military parade in Iran – state media (PHOTO, VIDEO) -- RT

Islamic State Takes Responsibility For Today's Attack On The Iranian Parliament And On Ayatollah Khomeini's Mausoleum

New York Times: Islamic State Claims Deadly Iran Attacks on Parliament and Khomeini Tomb

At least 12 people were killed and 39 others wounded Wednesday morning in a pair of devastating attacks on two of Iran’s most potent symbols: the national Parliament and the mausoleum of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

The Islamic State immediately issued a claim of responsibility; if that is found to be true, the attacks would be the terrorist group’s first major assault within Iran’s borders. Suspicions in Tehran were also directed at Saudi Arabia, Iran’s regional nemesis, which has been newly emboldened by a supportive visit from President Trump last month.

In the view of many in Iran, the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, is inextricably linked to Saudi Arabia. Hamidreza Taraghi, a hard-line analyst with ties to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said, “ISIS ideologically, financially and logistically is fully supported and sponsored by Saudi Arabia.”

Read more ....

More News On Today's Terror Attack In Tehran

The Latest: IS video purports to show Iran parliament siege -- AP
All four attackers on Iranian parliament killed -- Tehran Times
Iran’s parliament, Imam Khomeini's Mausoleum come under attack -- Press TV (Iran)
All 4 terrorists killed in Parliament: reports -- Mehr News Agency (Iran)
Iran Parliament Attack Ends, All 4 Assailants Killed -- Tasnim News Agency (Iran)
Gunmen Attack Mausoleum of Imam Khomeini South of Tehran -- Tasnim News Agency (Iran)
Islamic State claims attacks on Iran’s parliament, shrine -- AP
IS claims coordinated attacks in Tehran, 12 dead -- AFP
In rare attacks in Tehran, gunmen storm parliament and shrine in assaults claimed by Islamic State -- Washington Post
Iran attacks leave 12 dead at parliament and Khomeini mausoleum -- BBC
ISIS carries out its first strike in Iran: Burka-clad gunmen are shot dead after taking hostages at parliament as suicide bomber blows himself up at Ayatollah Khomeini's mausoleum -- Daily Mail
Iran attacks: Twin assaults on parliament and shrine rock Tehran -- CNN
IRAN ATTACK: ISIS claims responsibility for pair of assaults in Tehran -- FOX News
Iran Parliament, Khomeini’s Mausoleum Reportedly Attacked -- NBC
Twin Attacks Hit Iran's Parliament And Khomeini Mausoleum; ISIS Claims Responsibiilty -- NPR
Twin attacks strike Iran's parliament, Khomeini's tomb -- DW
Gunmen attack Iran's parliament, Khomeini shrine -- Al Jazeera
Multiple deaths in twin attacks in Iran Parliament, mausoleum: reports -- ABC News Online
Iran: several dead in suicide attacks on parliament and shrine in Tehran -- The Guardian
Fatalities & injuries after shootings, bombings at Iranian parliament & Khomeini shrine -- RT

Iran Is Claiming To Have Foiled Major Terror Attacks By Sunni Militants

The photograph shows Tehran's skyline at night with the Milad tower, the sixth tallest tower in the world, May 3, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS/MARIUS BOSCH

BBC: Iran 'foils plot by Sunni militants to bomb Tehran'

The authorities in Iran have thwarted a plot by Sunni militants to bomb targets in the capital Tehran and other cities, the intelligence ministry says.

The ministry said members of an "anti-Islamic terrorist takfiri group" had been arrested and explosives seized.

The intelligence ministry gave no further details about the suspects.

"Takfiri" is a term used by officials in Shia Iran to describe Sunni extremists who declare other Muslims as apostates deserving of death.

Read more ....

More News On Iran's Claim To Have Foiled Major Terror Attacks By Sunni Militants

Iran Claims Disrupting Major 'Terrorist Plot' in the Country -- AP
Iran thwarts attacks in Tehran, other cities - intelligence ministry -- Reuters
Iran thwarts major 'terror plot': state media -- AFP
Iran State Media Says 'Biggest' Terror Plot Against Tehran Has Been Foiled -- NBC
Iran: 'Ramadan terror plot' on Tehran foiled -- CNN
Iran foils 'one of the biggest terror plots' to target Tehran -- UPI
Iranian State TV Claims Officials Busted Massive Terror Plot -- VOA
Iranian Authorities Thwart Bombing Plots In Tehran, ‘Biggest Terrorist Plot’ To Ever Target The Shiite Capital -- IBTimes
Iran Thwarts Biggest-Ever Plot to Strike Tehran: State TV -- Newsweek

Israeli Press: Explosions Heard At Major Iranian Missile Facility In Tehran

3 Explosions Heard In Tehran Near Missile Facility -- Jerusalem Post

BBC Persian reporter: Residents heard blasts in Iranian capital.

Three explosions were heard in western Tehran on Tuesday, in an area where Iran carries out missile research and storage, according to a Tweet by a BBC Persian journalist.

It was not immediately clear if there were injuries or damage in the incident.

In January, both Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency denied reports that a blast had hit the Fordow underground uranium enrichment center near Qom.

Read more ....

Update: Explosions in Western Tehran -- Israel Defense

My Comment: This is a breaking news story. We will update this story as more information becomes available.

Pakistan May Turn Over U.S. 'Spies' to Iran

From ABC News:

Iran Claims Jundullah Militants, Led by Abdel Malik Regi, Are 'Spies' for the CIA

In another sign of growing tensions with the United States, Pakistan is threatening to turn over to Iran six members of a tribal militant group Iran claims are "spies" for the CIA.

The group, Jundullah, operates in Baluchistan on both sides of the border between Iran and Pakistan and has carried out a number of violent attacks on Iranian army facilities and officers inside the country.

The CIA has denied any direct ties with the group, but U.S. officials tell ABC News U.S. intelligence officers frequently meet and advise Jundullah leaders, and current and former intelligence officers are working to prevent the men from being sent to Iran.

Read more ....

News From Other Sources:
CIA Protects Al-Qaeda Group From Extradition -- Infowars
CIA Protects Al-Qaeda Group From Extradition -- Black Listed News
Iran Busts CIA-Backed Terror Group -- Real Truth Online
Is the U.S. backing pro-Shah terrorism against Iran? -- Daily Kos

My Comment: Because Iran has a religious and ethnic hard line altitude towards many of it's minority ethnic groups, I am not surprised that many of these same groups are now organizing themselves to use violence against Tehran. This naturally becomes a tempting target for outsiders like the U.S. or Sunni extremists to take advantage of. While many pundits believe that the U.S. is actively involved in fermenting trouble in Iran, I hold the opinion that for a long time .... with no help from the U.S. .... anger and rebellion has been fermenting in the outlying regions.

I would not be surprised if foreign intelligence services are using Iranian dissidents to gather information .... from Iran's nuke program, its oil industry and capabilities, and political stability .... but to actively bring weapons into the country, I am skeptical of this idea. If there is a serious attempt to undermine the regime in Tehran by supporting "liberation" movements with weapons .... I fail to see how they can hide it. These secrets are never kept for any period of time.

The one thing that I have noticed in the story, is that while it appears that the U.S. is actively trying to prevent this extradition, the Pakistanis do not care. For a country that receives billions in U.S. aid .... my impression is that there is something definitely wrong.