Several top commanders in Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have been killed in a suicide bombing in the volatile south-east of the country.

Iranian state television said 31 people died in the attack, in the Pishin region of Sistan-Baluchistan, and more than 25 were injured.

Shia and Sunni tribal leaders were also killed. A Sunni resistance group, Jundullah, said they carried it out.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the criminals would be punished.

“The criminals will soon get the response for their anti-human crimes,” Irna quoted him as saying.

A top Guards officer has also vowed to deliver a “crushing” response to those behind the attack, according to Agence France Presse.

Sistan-Baluchistan is mainly made up of the Baluchi ethnic group, who belong to the Sunni Muslim minority of Shia-ruled Iran.

Jundallah has previously been accused by Iran of terrorist activities in the province.

Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said “US action” contributed to the attack – an accusation dismissed by the US.

According to state media, one or more suicide bombers targeted the group of Revolutionary Guards leaders who had arranged to meet with tribal leaders.

One report said there were two bombs – one inside the meeting and one aimed at a convoy of guards just arriving.

Source/Full Story: BBC
Technorati Tags: Revolutionary Guard, Jundullah

Related Items

• Violent street protests against the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, reformers detained
• Iranian president warns against tougher sanctions
• U.S., World Powers Go to the Table With Tehran
• Iran brings formal charges against UK embassy official
• Ahmadinejad stresses need for a new world order