Iran finds new evidence on deadly blast

After a series of intensive investigations into the deadly bomb blast in southeastern Iran, new revelations show that the 24-year-old culprit was trained and equipped in Pakistan.

"Based on our latest findings, the bomber was none other than Abdolvahed Mohammadizadehhad, who had recently gone to Pakistan to receive specialized terrorist training," Jalal Sayyah, Deputy Chief for security affairs in the Sistan-Baluchestan Province, said early Saturday.

Sayyah said the findings were confirmed following the confession of those who were arrested for having links with the Jundallah group.

"Fully-trained with bombs and explosives, he was then sent to Iran to carry out this tragic incident," he said, referring to a bomb blast that killed more than 40 people on Sunday in the borderline region of Pishin.

The Pakistan-based Jundallah terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack. At least 41 people were killed by an explosion during a conference between Sunni and Shia tribal leaders to strengthen unity among the people in the region.

Spearheaded by Abdulmalek Rigi, Jundallah terrorists have staged a tidal wave of bombings and terrorist attacks in Iran, one of which left at least 25 Iranians dead in early June.

Abdulhamid Rigi, the apprehended brother of the Jundallah point-man, told Press TV in a recent interview that Abdulmalek had held several "confidential" meetings with FBI and CIA agents in Karachi and Islamabad.

He added that during one of the meetings, two female US agents had offered weapons, safe bases in Afghanistan and professional trainers and had attempted to recruit volunteers.

Robert Baer, a former Middle East CIA field officer, revealed Saturday that Washington had formed relations with the Jundallah group, while aware of its terrorist nature.

"American intelligence has also had contact with Jundallah. But that contact, as Iran almost certainly knows, was confined to intelligence-gathering on the country," Baer wrote on the Time.com.

Baer said the close relations between the US and the terror group were to such extent that Jundallah had once been considered "as a piece in a covert-action campaign against Iran."

His remarks have raised alarming questions about the US involvement in the recent wave of terrorist attacks in Iran.