Posted on 01/24/2006 11:08:21 AM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -
Two bombs exploded in a bank and outside a government building Tuesday, killing six people and injuring 46 in a southwestern city with a history of violence involving members of Iran's Arab minority, the official news agency reported.
The president had been expected to meet his Cabinet in the city on Tuesday but canceled the visit.
Interior Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi said the attacks in Ahvaz, the capital of oil-rich Khuzestan province which borders Iraq, were foreign-inspired and related to last year's bombings in the same city.
Ahvaz was the scene of bombings in June and October that the government blamed on Iranian Arab extremists who were allegedly trained abroad and maintained ties to foreign governments, including Britain. The October bombings killed six people and the June attacks killed at least eight. Britain has denied any connection.
"Today's explosions are a continuation of the same indiscriminate attacks directed from outside the country," the Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Pourmohammadi as saying.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his entire Cabinet had been expected to meet Tuesday in Ahvaz as part of a series of visits to provincial capitals to address key local issues. Ahmadinejad canceled the visit, citing a forecast calling for heavy rain, IRNA reported.
The bombs targeted a bank and a state environmental agency building in the city, IRNA said.
A deputy provincial governor of Ahvaz, Mohsen Farrokhinejad, said Tuesday's blasts killed six people and wounded 46, IRNA reported.
Nezam Molla Hoveizeh, a Khuzestan lawmaker, alleged Tuesday's explosions were the work of Iranian Arab separatists who have offices in London and are supported by Britain.
"The bombers are directed by the British. Britain is the main culprit behind the blasts. The British government offers financial and material support to these terrorists," he told The Associated Press.
Iran has repeatedly accused Britain of provoking unrest in Khuzestan, which borders that part of Iraq where 8,500 British soldiers are based as part of the U.S.-led military coalition.
Tensions between the two countries have also flared recently over Britain's opposition to Iran's resumption of nuclear activities. The United States suspects Iran has ambitions of producing nuclear weapons and Britain supports moves to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council, which could impose sanctions. Iran says its nuclear program is for producing energy.
Britain has also accused Tehran of allowing Iraqi insurgents to receive explosives technology that has been used to attack British soldiers. Iran denies those allegations.
Arabs make up less than 3 percent of Iran's population, and most live in Khuzestan.
In April, residents of Ahvaz rioted for two days after Arab separatists circulated reports the government planned to decrease the proportion of Arabs in the province. The government denied the claim.
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"The bombers are directed by the British. Britain is the main culprit behind the blasts. The British government offers financial and material support to these terrorists," he told The Associated Press.
"The bombers are directed by the British. Britain is the main culprit behind the blasts. The British government offers financial and material support to these terrorists," he told The Associated Press.
What's good for the pig is good for the sow, you miserable sack of pus.
Iran, as I understand it, has always had a thing about the British. They worry more about what England is up to than they worry about us.
Chicken sh*t!
So the president cancels an appearance because of forecasted rain on the day of the explosions, and it takes the official news agency no time at all to blame the British for the bombing. I dunno...it all seems way to convenient to me.
well, we know it wasn't Israel. The mossad would have had better intel. I'm not even sure I believe there was a bombing. But, in the words of Ronaldus Maximus, "I've given the order to drop the bomb within five minutes". Mike check.
Better luck next time.
Hey... they forgot us.
I'm damn sure we have a few 'friends' of ourselves in-country... espically at this point.
The current idea is to give Bush a 30day plan to take Iran, 2 weeks to get to Tehran. Airial bomb the sites.
Hold outside the city and send spec-ops to assasinate leadership and other targets while 'defending' against attack outside the city.
But the current plan is NOT to stay, not to 'occupy' Iran.
In other words, we are working with the FUTURE Iranian gov't now. Talking to people, having them talk to friends and allies. Trying to get things started and formed, so they can step up as we take out the current leadership.
Anyway... not sure if 'our guys' are gunning for the pres now or just getting ready for after WE have to go in. Safe bet would be we are working that track, while the Brits try to avoid going in at all by taking out the pres with 'their guys'
Iranian authorities are particularly sensitive about protests and discontent in Khuzestan because the region sits on most of the Islamic Republic's crude reserves, the second biggest in the world.
Damn insurgents.
And so it begins......
Position. Position. Position.
What happens when you put all your eggs in one basket?
"Arabs make up less than 3 percent of Iran's population, and most live in Khuzestan."
And three percent of approx 65 million = 1.95 million Khuzestani who, not only sit on the most valuable asset Iran has, but don't follow the crazy 12th Imam living down a well story...with a little help from their friends...
I wonder if Michael Moore will call them freedom fighters. Hello, Michael? Hello...? (Sound of crickets chirping).
ARABISTAN!
Khuzestan
Province of southwest Iran, on the northern shores of the Gulf; area 66,560 sq km/25,700 sq mi; population (1996 est) 3,746,800. It has Iran's chief oil resources. Cities include the administrative centre of Ahvaz and the ports of Abadan and Khorramshahr. A large proportion of the population is Arab. The province is often referred to by Arabs as Arabistan.
© Research Machines plc 2006. All rights reserved. Helicon Publishing is a division of Research Machines plc.
Very interesting,.....Oil to Tehran could be shut off pretty easily based on that pipeline map.
Khuzestan looks like its set to become the second wealthiest arab nation in the Middle east.
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