A spokesman for an Arab separatist group in Iran says members of his organization carried out an attack on an Iranian military parade that killed 25 people and wounded 53.
Yacoub Hor al-Tostari, a spokesman for the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz, told The Associated Press his group wants that area of southwest Iran to be its own nation.
He described his group as leading an umbrella organization for other Ahvaz groups, which includes the militants who carried out Saturday’s attack in Ahvaz.
Al-Tostari said the attack undermined the Iranian government “on the day it wants to give a message to the world that it is powerful and in control.”
He dismissed a claim by the Islamic State group for the attack. The IS claim initially incorrectly said the attack targeted Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Rouhani was in Tehran giving a speech.
Hours after the attack, Iranian officials have increasingly said they suspect Ahvazi separatists for the attack.
