Iran blames Saudi Arabia for attacks in Tehran

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards vowed revenge for twin attacks by the Islamic State group in Tehran, and said Washington and Riyadh were involved
Wednesday, 07 June 2017 19:32

Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the Iranian parliament and the Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini in Tehran on Wednesday, killing at least 12 people in a twin assault which Iran's Revolutionary Guards blamed on regional rival Saudi Arabia.

The attacks took place at a particularly charged time after Saudi Arabia and other Sunni powers cut ties with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of backing Tehran and militant groups.

In a statement, Iran's Revolutionary Guard is indirectly blaming Saudi Arabia for the twin terrorist attacks in Tehran.

Islamic State claimed responsibility and released a video purporting to show gunmen inside the parliament building. 

The statement says that Saudi Arabia constantly supports Takfiri terrorists including the Islamic State group and the IS claim of responsibility "reveals their (Saudi Arabia's) hand in this barbaric action."

The statement Wednesday evening stops short of alleging direct Saudi involvement but calls it meaningful that the attacks took place about one week after U.S. President Donald Trump travelled to Saudi Arabia and strongly asserted American support for Riyadh.

"This terrorist action, coming one week after the meeting of the president of the United States with the leader of one of the region's reactionary governments (Saudi Arabia)... shows they are involved in this savage action."

"The Revolutionary Guards have always proven that they will never allow the blood of innocents to be spilt without revenge," they said in the statement.