Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - 22 dead and 160 wounded in the death toll so far from a double suicide bombing yesterday in Jamia, a Shi'ite mosque in south-eastern Iran. The attack, carried out by two suicide bombers, occurred in a majority Sunni area. Zahedan, capital of Sistan-Baluchistan province, has long been the scene of bombings by Sunni rebel group Jundullah - soldiers of God - whose leader was hanged last month. The double attack last night could be a response to the killing of Abdolmalek Rigi.

Ali Mohammad Azad, governor general of Sistan-Baluchistan, confirmed on television that "the two explosions in front of the mosque led to 22 martyrs and 160 wounded." He added that some of the wounded were in serious condition and the death toll could rise in the coming hours. Mong the victims are some Pasdaran, the Revolutionary Guard, a special corps loyal to Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei.

In the past, Zahedan, the provincial capital, has been the scene of bloody attacks carried out by Sunni rebel group Jundullah (soldiers of God), whose leader Abdolmalek Rigi was hanged last month. Al-Arabiya television station said it had received a mail from the rebel group that claimed responsibility for the attack yesterday evening at the Shiite mosque in Jamia. It was in response to the execution of their leader, and coincided with the celebrations for the anniversary of the birth of Imam Hussein, grandson of the prophet Muhammad revered by Shiites.