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| Iran: Many die in Zahedan mosque bombing | Iran: Many die in Zahedan mosque bombing |
| (5 days later) | |
| A bomb in a mosque in south-east Iran has killed at least 19 people and injured 60, the governor of Sistan-Baluchestan province said. | A bomb in a mosque in south-east Iran has killed at least 19 people and injured 60, the governor of Sistan-Baluchestan province said. |
| The explosion happened in Zahedan, the provincial capital, at the time of evening prayer, Ali Mohammad Azad told Iranian state TV. | The explosion happened in Zahedan, the provincial capital, at the time of evening prayer, Ali Mohammad Azad told Iranian state TV. |
| He said "terrorists", who had planned to detonate more bombs, were arrested. | He said "terrorists", who had planned to detonate more bombs, were arrested. |
| The province is often the scene of lawlessness, including clashes between police and drug dealers or militants. | The province is often the scene of lawlessness, including clashes between police and drug dealers or militants. |
| Zahedan is a mainly Sunni Muslim city in a mostly Shia country. | Zahedan is a mainly Sunni Muslim city in a mostly Shia country. |
| 'Suicide attack' | 'Suicide attack' |
| Part of the Amir al-Mohini mosque was destroyed, the official news agency Irna reported. | Part of the Amir al-Mohini mosque was destroyed, the official news agency Irna reported. |
| Rescue teams were taking out the bodies of the dead and injured. | Rescue teams were taking out the bodies of the dead and injured. |
| "It was a terrorist attack and the bomb was exploded by a terrorist," Mr Azad said, according to Irna, adding that members of a terrorist group had been arrested. | "It was a terrorist attack and the bomb was exploded by a terrorist," Mr Azad said, according to Irna, adding that members of a terrorist group had been arrested. |
| Mr Azad said "bandits and terrorists intended to disturb the order in the province before the election considering the insecurity in the eastern neighbouring countries". | Mr Azad said "bandits and terrorists intended to disturb the order in the province before the election considering the insecurity in the eastern neighbouring countries". |
| Although it occurred in a remote region, the explosion comes at a time of heightened political sensitivity nationally, with just over two weeks before the first round of the presidential election . | Although it occurred in a remote region, the explosion comes at a time of heightened political sensitivity nationally, with just over two weeks before the first round of the presidential election . |
| Fars news agency quoted witnesses saying the incident had been a suicide attack, and that a second bomb had been defused near the mosque. The reports could not be verified. | Fars news agency quoted witnesses saying the incident had been a suicide attack, and that a second bomb had been defused near the mosque. The reports could not be verified. |
| Thursday was a public holiday marking the death of the Prophet Muhammad's daughter, Fatima. | Thursday was a public holiday marking the death of the Prophet Muhammad's daughter, Fatima. |
| Drugs trade | Drugs trade |
| Sistan-Baluchestan is one of the most deprived regions in Iran. | Sistan-Baluchestan is one of the most deprived regions in Iran. |
| Its location on the borders of both Afghanistan and Pakistan make it a key route in the drugs trade. | Its location on the borders of both Afghanistan and Pakistan make it a key route in the drugs trade. |
| Despite Iran's best efforts, a huge proportion of the world's opiates, such as heroin and morphine, are smuggled by heavily armed drugs gangs, often in large convoys. | Despite Iran's best efforts, a huge proportion of the world's opiates, such as heroin and morphine, are smuggled by heavily armed drugs gangs, often in large convoys. |
| There are also a number of militants in the area, many of them with links to the drugs gangs, and clashes with the security forces are common. | There are also a number of militants in the area, many of them with links to the drugs gangs, and clashes with the security forces are common. |
| Two years ago at least 11 people, including members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, were killed by a bomb in Zahedan. | Two years ago at least 11 people, including members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, were killed by a bomb in Zahedan. |
| Foreigners are strongly advised to avoid the area, and a recent visit by a number of diplomats was accompanied by extremely heavy security, says the BBC's John Leyne in Tehran. | Foreigners are strongly advised to avoid the area, and a recent visit by a number of diplomats was accompanied by extremely heavy security, says the BBC's John Leyne in Tehran. |
| The insurgency is linked with the area's large Sunni population - at odds with Iran's Shia-led government. | The insurgency is linked with the area's large Sunni population - at odds with Iran's Shia-led government. |
| But the Iranian government also accuses the US and Britain of supporting the militants. | But the Iranian government also accuses the US and Britain of supporting the militants. |