The 2009 Zahedan bombing was an explosion on May 28, 2009 that occurred during Maghrib prayers in Zahedan killing 30 people and wounding 60.[1] There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The governor of Sistan and Baluchestan reported that "a group of terrorists were arrested as they were trying to escape from the province".[2]
Zahedan is the capital of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, shares a border with Pakistan and is the scene of frequent clashes between Iranian police and drug dealers and militants and terrorists such as Jundallah. In 2007, there was another bombing that killed eleven people.[3]
Motive
This explosion probably was carried out by a group seeking to start a war between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.[4] One day after the attack, Abdel Raouf Rigi, described as a spokesman for the Jundallah group, told Saudi-owned TV channel Al-Arabiya that a suicide bomber had targeted a secret meeting of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards inside the Amir al-Momineen mosque.[5]
On May 30, 2009, three men convicted of smuggling the bombing material and explosives from Pakistan to Iran were publicly executed by hanging near the mosque. All three men were already in detention when bombing occurred and had been tried for a string of bombings claimed by Jundallah in past.[6] A spokesman for the Sistan-Baluchestan provincial judiciary said the three people "confessed to illegally bringing explosives into Iran and giving them to the main person behind the bombing".[7]
Attack
The Fars news agency quoted witnesses saying the incident had been a suicide attack.[3] The bomb was suspected to have been put in a briefcase on the men's side of the mosque. The bomb is estimated to have been activated around the time for evening prayer, when the mosque was packed with worshippers on a public holiday.[6] Amir al-Mohmenin mosque is an important shia mosque in Zahedan.[6]
Attribution
AyatollahAhmad Khatami stated that he believed the United States and Israel had a hand in the attack. He specifically accused the US of supporting Sunni rebels operating on the border with Pakistan, who are also linked the Al-Qaeda.[8] He also stated "Although those who planted the bomb are the malicious and non-believer Wahabbis and Salafis, the real masterminds are others. Those who planned the crime wanted to undermine the Supreme Leader’s move to help build closer bonds between Shiites and Sunnis during his recent visit to Kurdestan. It is clear that our Shiite and Sunni brothers are vigilant about the plots of the enemies who wish to create discord among them".[9] After three of the attackers were arrested, Khatami announced "According to the information obtained they were hired by America and the agents of the arrogance". Interior minister Sadegh Mahsooli also accused Israel and the US of supporting the terrorists.[10] Jalal Sayah, deputy governor of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, accused the United States of sponsoring terror and hiring mercenaries to attack Iran.[6][11] Iranian speaker of parliament Ali Larijani, three days after the terror attack claimed that Iran has intelligence reports regarding the United States links with certain terrorist groups operating against Iran and accused United States, of commanding them and trying to start a civil war between Shia and Sunni segments of Iranian society. Regarding the investigation of bombing, he said that Iran would want Pakistan to cooperate fully and not become a mere part of the designs against Iran.[11]
The US denied the accusation, replying "We do not sponsor any form of terrorism anywhere in the world. Never have, never will."[10]
Reaction
United States - White house Spokesmen Robert Gibbs said "The United States strongly condemns the recent terrorist attacks inside Iran, the American people send their deepest condolences to the victims and their families. No cause justifies terrorism, and the United States condemns it in any form, in any country, against any people." US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly stated "We condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms, and extend our sympathies to the families injured and killed, We note with concern a recent trend of bombings of Shiite mosques in Iraq and Pakistan as well as in Iran and strongly condemn any kind of sectarian driven violence."[10]
Jundallah ties to Al Qaeda and U.S. Military Intelligence
According to many sources, Jundallah has ties to al-Qaeda.[12][13][14] Iran has been critical of the U.S. and U.K. governments for supporting Jundallah. Several sources such as the ABC News, Daily Telegraph, and journalist Seymour Hersh have also reported that Jundullah has received support from the United States against Iran.[15][16][17][18]
^"Blast hits mosque in Iran's Zahedan killing 30". Reuters. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
^"Several killed in Iran mosque blast". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
^ ab"Iran: Many die in Zahedan mosque bombing". bbc. bbc. 2009-05-28. from the original on 30 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
^Mostaghim, Ramin; Jeffrey Fleishman (2009-05-29). "Iran says 20 killed in mosque bombing". Los Angeles Times. from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
^"'Gunmen attack' south Iran election office". 2009-05-29. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
^ abcd"Iran official accuses US over mosque bomb". BBC News. 2009-05-29. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
^"Iran executes trio for mosque bombing". 2009-05-30. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
^. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
^ abc. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
^ ab"BBC فارسی - ايران - نیروی انتظامی ایران: امنیت در زاهدان برقرار است". June 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
^. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-07-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^. Stratfor. Archived from the original on 2012-02-23. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
^The legacy of Nek Mohammed By Syed Saleem Shahzad Archived May 3, 2012, at the Stanford Web Archive
^Lowther, William (2007-02-25). "US funds terror groups to sow chaos in Iran". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
^Shipman, Tim (2007-05-27). "Bush sanctions 'black ops' against Iran". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
^Brian Ross and Christopher Isham Report (2007-04-03). . Blogs.abcnews.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-16. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
^Hersh, Seymour M. (2009-01-07). "Annals of National Security: Preparing the Battlefield". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
February 02, 2023
2009, zahedan, bombing, explosion, 2009, that, occurred, during, maghrib, prayers, zahedan, killing, people, wounding, there, immediate, claim, responsibility, governor, sistan, baluchestan, reported, that, group, terrorists, were, arrested, they, were, trying. The 2009 Zahedan bombing was an explosion on May 28 2009 that occurred during Maghrib prayers in Zahedan killing 30 people and wounding 60 1 There was no immediate claim of responsibility The governor of Sistan and Baluchestan reported that a group of terrorists were arrested as they were trying to escape from the province 2 2009 Zahedan bombingSistan and Baluchistan Province shown within IranLocationZahedan IranDateMay 28 2009Deaths30Injured60PerpetratorsJundullah Contents 1 Background 2 Motive 3 Attack 4 Attribution 5 Reaction 6 Jundallah ties to Al Qaeda and U S Military Intelligence 7 See also 8 ReferencesBackground EditZahedan is the capital of Sistan and Baluchestan Province shares a border with Pakistan and is the scene of frequent clashes between Iranian police and drug dealers and militants and terrorists such as Jundallah In 2007 there was another bombing that killed eleven people 3 Motive EditThis explosion probably was carried out by a group seeking to start a war between Shiite and Sunni Muslims 4 One day after the attack Abdel Raouf Rigi described as a spokesman for the Jundallah group told Saudi owned TV channel Al Arabiya that a suicide bomber had targeted a secret meeting of Iran s elite Revolutionary Guards inside the Amir al Momineen mosque 5 On May 30 2009 three men convicted of smuggling the bombing material and explosives from Pakistan to Iran were publicly executed by hanging near the mosque All three men were already in detention when bombing occurred and had been tried for a string of bombings claimed by Jundallah in past 6 A spokesman for the Sistan Baluchestan provincial judiciary said the three people confessed to illegally bringing explosives into Iran and giving them to the main person behind the bombing 7 Attack EditThe Fars news agency quoted witnesses saying the incident had been a suicide attack 3 The bomb was suspected to have been put in a briefcase on the men s side of the mosque The bomb is estimated to have been activated around the time for evening prayer when the mosque was packed with worshippers on a public holiday 6 Amir al Mohmenin mosque is an important shia mosque in Zahedan 6 Attribution EditAyatollah Ahmad Khatami stated that he believed the United States and Israel had a hand in the attack He specifically accused the US of supporting Sunni rebels operating on the border with Pakistan who are also linked the Al Qaeda 8 He also stated Although those who planted the bomb are the malicious and non believer Wahabbis and Salafis the real masterminds are others Those who planned the crime wanted to undermine the Supreme Leader s move to help build closer bonds between Shiites and Sunnis during his recent visit to Kurdestan It is clear that our Shiite and Sunni brothers are vigilant about the plots of the enemies who wish to create discord among them 9 After three of the attackers were arrested Khatami announced According to the information obtained they were hired by America and the agents of the arrogance Interior minister Sadegh Mahsooli also accused Israel and the US of supporting the terrorists 10 Jalal Sayah deputy governor of Sistan and Baluchestan Province accused the United States of sponsoring terror and hiring mercenaries to attack Iran 6 11 Iranian speaker of parliament Ali Larijani three days after the terror attack claimed that Iran has intelligence reports regarding the United States links with certain terrorist groups operating against Iran and accused United States of commanding them and trying to start a civil war between Shia and Sunni segments of Iranian society Regarding the investigation of bombing he said that Iran would want Pakistan to cooperate fully and not become a mere part of the designs against Iran 11 The US denied the accusation replying We do not sponsor any form of terrorism anywhere in the world Never have never will 10 Reaction Edit United States White house Spokesmen Robert Gibbs said The United States strongly condemns the recent terrorist attacks inside Iran the American people send their deepest condolences to the victims and their families No cause justifies terrorism and the United States condemns it in any form in any country against any people US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly stated We condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms and extend our sympathies to the families injured and killed We note with concern a recent trend of bombings of Shiite mosques in Iraq and Pakistan as well as in Iran and strongly condemn any kind of sectarian driven violence 10 Jundallah ties to Al Qaeda and U S Military Intelligence EditAccording to many sources Jundallah has ties to al Qaeda 12 13 14 Iran has been critical of the U S and U K governments for supporting Jundallah Several sources such as the ABC News Daily Telegraph and journalist Seymour Hersh have also reported that Jundullah has received support from the United States against Iran 15 16 17 18 See also Edit Iran portalJundallah Abdolmalek Rigi Ahvaz bombings 2007 Zahedan bombings July 2010 Zahedan bombingsReferences Edit Blast hits mosque in Iran s Zahedan killing 30 Reuters 28 May 2009 Retrieved 30 September 2022 Several killed in Iran mosque blast Al Jazeera English Retrieved 22 November 2014 a b Iran Many die in Zahedan mosque bombing bbc bbc 2009 05 28 Archived from the original on 30 May 2009 Retrieved 2009 05 28 Mostaghim Ramin Jeffrey Fleishman 2009 05 29 Iran says 20 killed in mosque bombing Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on 31 May 2009 Retrieved 2009 05 29 Gunmen attack south Iran election office 2009 05 29 Retrieved 22 November 2014 a b c d Iran official accuses US over mosque bomb BBC News 2009 05 29 Retrieved 2010 04 23 Iran executes trio for mosque bombing 2009 05 30 Retrieved 22 November 2014 Blast Kills More Than 20 in Zahedan Archived from the original on 2011 07 13 Retrieved 2009 05 30 http www iran daily com 1388 3411 html national htm s382530 dead link a b c France 24 US condemns attacks in Iran denies accusations of complicity France 24 Archived from the original on 2009 06 11 Retrieved 2009 05 30 a b BBC فارسی ايران نیروی انتظامی ایران امنیت در زاهدان برقرار است June 2009 Retrieved 22 November 2014 Archived copy Archived from the original on 2016 03 03 Retrieved 2009 07 31 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link Free Article for Non Members STRATFOR Stratfor Archived from the original on 2012 02 23 Retrieved 22 November 2014 The legacy of Nek Mohammed By Syed Saleem Shahzad Archived May 3 2012 at the Stanford Web Archive Lowther William 2007 02 25 US funds terror groups to sow chaos in Iran London Telegraph Retrieved 2009 10 20 Shipman Tim 2007 05 27 Bush sanctions black ops against Iran London Telegraph Retrieved 2009 10 20 Brian Ross and Christopher Isham Report 2007 04 03 ABC News Exclusive The Secret War Against Iran The Blotter Blogs abcnews com Archived from the original on 2017 10 16 Retrieved 2009 10 20 Hersh Seymour M 2009 01 07 Annals of National Security Preparing the Battlefield The New Yorker Retrieved 2009 10 20 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2009 Zahedan bombing amp oldid 1134339123, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
