Iran's supreme leader accuses U.S. of supporting bombings

Tehran, Iran (News Today) - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused the United States of supporting the recent bombings in the southeastern city of Zahedan to stir up religious dissension within the Islamic republic, state media said Wednesday.

"One of the main objectives the enemy pursued through the terrorist attack in Iran's southeastern city of Zahedan was to create division and religious dissension," Khamenei said, according to Press TV.

At least 27 people were killed in a pair of suicide bombings July 15 outside the Zahedan Grand Mosque in Sistan-Baluchestan province. Other Iranian leaders, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, have already blamed the United States for the attacks.

Khamenei said Iran would not allow "arrogant powers" to obtain their objectives and urged Iranians to confront the enemies of their country, Press TV said.

"Their animosity with the Islamic republic stems from Iran's adherence to Islam and its repeated call for unity, strength and Islamic dignity," he said.

"[Iran] is now the target of the evil conspiracies of the intelligence services of the U.S., the Zionist regime (Israel) and Britain, who falsely believe that Iran will become entangled in religious dissension and Shiite-Sunni conflict."

The Iranian extremist group Jundallah, also known as the People's Resistance Movement of Iran, claimed responsibility for the bombings in an announcement on its official website.

In the past, the Shiite government in Tehran has accused Jundallah of fomenting unrest in Sistan-Baluchistan province and alleged that the United States and Saudi Arabia are funding the group.

Jundallah says it is fighting for the rights of Sunni Muslims in the country.

Source : CNN

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