Islamic State group claims Iran parade attack: propaganda agency

Three of the attackers have died at the scene while a fourth has been arrested and later succumbed to his wounds

BEIRUT: The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a deadly shooting at a military parade in southwestern Iran on Saturday, its propaganda agency Amaq said.

Citing a security source, Amaq said: "Islamic State fighters attacked a gathering of Iranian forces in the city of Ahvaz in southern Iran".

The statement was posted on Amaq accounts on on messaging application Telegram.

At least 24 people were killed in the attack, including a young girl as well as troops, Iran's state media reported.



Three of the attackers died at the scene while a fourth was arrested and later succumbed to his wounds, armed forces spokesperson Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi said.

This picture taken on September 22, 2018 in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz shows an Iranian soldier carrying an ijured comrade at the scene of an attack. PHOTO: AFP

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said earlier he held a US ally in the region responsible.

This picture taken on September 22, 2018 in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz shows Iranian soldiers carrying away an injured comrade. PHOTO: AFP

Terrorists recruited, trained, armed & paid by a foreign regime have attacked Ahvaz. Children and journos among casualties. Iran holds regional terror sponsors and their US masters accountable for such attacks. Iran will respond swiftly and decisively in defense of Iranian lives. pic.twitter.com/WG1J1wgVD9

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) September 22, 2018

Zarif said in a tweet. Ahvaz lies in Khuzestan, a province bordering Iraq that has a large ethnic Arab community and has seen separatist violence in the past, which Iran has blamed on its regional rivals.

This picture taken on September 22, 2018 in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz shows Iranian women and soldiers taking cover next to bushes at the scene of an attack. PHOTO: AFP