Khamenei accuses “U.S. – Zionist” intel. agencies of involvement in blasts

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday accused “U.S. and Zionist” intelligence agencies of involvement in the deadly blasts that killed more than 130 civilians, including dozens of Iranian pilgrims, in Baghdad and Diala during the past couple of days. The Supreme Leader referred to the U.S. as the main suspect in the “terrorist” operations in Iraq, saying the U.S. forces, under the false pretext of fighting “terrorism”, have occupied the Islamic Iraq, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated in his message that Washington is the root cause of all “terrorist” operations in Iraq. The Islamic Republic of Iran expects the Iraqi government to seriously counter such crimes and fully provide the security of the pilgrims of the holy sites in that country, the Supreme Leader emphasized. Ayatollah Khamenei offered condolences for the bereaved families of the victims over this sad incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of the wounded. The toll from the Friday’s blasts brought to at least 140 the number of people who have died in the past 48 hours as suicide bombers targeted areas packed with civilians in the capital and a restaurant filled with Iranian pilgrims in central Diyala province. Hundreds of worshippers had gathered to pray at a Muslim holy shrine in the historic and predominantly Shiite neighborhood of al-Kadhemiya in northern Baghdad when the attackers struck Friday during lunchtime. AmR (P) 1