Iran busts over 10 ‘terrorist cells’ after deadly Kerman blasts: Official

Tehran, Jan 22 : Iran has identified and destroyed more than 10 "terrorist cells" in the past weeks following the recent deadly "terrorist" attacks in the southeastern Kerman city, the media reported, citing Deputy Interior Minister for Security Affairs Majid Mir-Ahmadi.

Mir-Ahmadi on Sunday stressed that the Iranian security and intelligence apparatuses and armed forces were making round-the-clock efforts to "counter the enemies conspiracies," adding Irans strategy in countering terrorist groups is proactive against the source of threats.

Many were killed and injured in the twin bombing attacks near the tomb of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Kerman on January 3, when thousands of people gathered to mark the fourth anniversary of his death from a US drone attack in Iraq, Xinhua news agency reported.

Terror group Islamic State (IS) on January 4 claimed responsibility for the bombings, saying two suicide attackers carried out the blasts.

Irans Intelligence Ministry said on Friday that its forces had killed two "terrorists" and arrested several others, including ringleaders of the IS, in connection with the Kerman blasts.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said early Tuesday that it had fired ballistic missiles at the bases of "terrorists" in Syria in retaliation for the "terrorist attacks" in southeastern Iran.

int/khz