Iran Officials Blame US, Allies After Ahvaz Parade Attack

Jason Ditz      
Still reeling from the Saturday shooting attack on a military parade in Ahvaz, top Iranian officials are issuing a series of statements blaming the attack on the US, Israel, and Gulf Arab states, and pushing EU nations to stop hosting members of the separatist group involved after the deadly attack.
The attack killed 29 people and wounded 70. An Arab separatist group claimed credit for the attack, which immediately drew suspicion to Gulf Arab states, notably Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE.
President Hassan Rouhani was quick to note that not only are those nations liable to have supported the attacking group in some form, as they all consider Iran an enemy, but that all of them are also closely allied with the US.
US Ambassador Nikki Haley issued a statement denying any US involvement in the attack. Curiously, however, she said it was Rouhani’s fault for “oppressing his people for a long time,” and cited public protests in Tehran as connected to the violence.
Yet the US has been very public about funding the Tehran protests in the first place, as part of an attempt to portray Iran’s government as having lost all public support.
The UAE also denied involvement, saying everyone knows they oppose terrorism and accusing Iran of “incitement.”

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