Iran - attack on Revolutionary Guard

Attack planned in Pakistan, says Tehran

Article published on the 2009-10-19 Latest update 2009-10-20 15:06 TU

(Photo: AFP)

Iran's General Mohammad Pakpour on Monday said those responsible for Sunday's attack on the Revolutionary Guards had been "trained and equipped" by the US and the UK.

The US has rejected the accusation.

This comes after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad alleged that the attack had been planned in Pakistan. Sunday's attack, in the Iranian city of Pisheen, killed seven Revolutionary Guards and 35 other people.

The head of the Revolutionary Guards, General Mohammad Ali Jafari, said on Monday that a delegation from Tehran would travel to Pakistan to seek the handover of Abdolmalek Rigi, a militant leader.

Jafari said the delegation would deliver "proof to them so they know that the Islamic Republic is aware of (Pakistan's) support" of Rigi's group, Jundallah.

The US State Department rejected allegations of involvement and condemned "this act of terrorism". Iran's Foreign Ministry has protested against "the use of Pakistani territory by the terrorists and rebels against the Islamic Republic of Iran".

A meeting in Vienna on Monday afternoon will bring together officials from Iran, France, Russia, the US and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The meeting is to discuss a plan for Iran to carry out uranium enrichment in France and Russia, which it can use for a research reactor for medical uses.

Iran has said it will continue enrichment work in the city of Natanz, regardless of the outcome of the talks, which could continue for a second or third day.