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Iran denies involvement in Israeli embassy attacks

The Israeli embassy car damaged in the New Delhi explosion today.
The Israeli embassy car damaged in the New Delhi explosion today.
Image: AP/PA Images

Updated at 8.45pm

ISRAELI EMBASSIES and diplomats have been targeted by bomb attacks in India and Georgia.

The AP reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed Iran for the bombings. Speaking in parliament today, Netanyahu accused Iran of being “the largest exporter of terror in the world”.

Iran has denied responsibility for the attacks. A government spokesperson was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as dismissing Netanyahu’s comments as part of a “psychological war against Iran”.

An Israeli diplomat’s wife and three other people were injured when a bomb exploded and destroyed an embassy car in New Delhi, close to the Israeli embassy. Al Jazeera reports that the diplomat’s wife was being driven to collect her children from school at the time of the explosion.

Meanwhile, the driver of an Israeli embassy vehicle in Tbilisi, Georgia discovered a package attached to the car’s undercarriage and alerted the authorities. A grenade was found and successfully defused.

Both attacks bore similarities to the recent assassination of a nuclear scientist in Tehran in which a magnetic bomb was attached to the official’s car before detonation.

Tension

Today’s violence has heightened tensions between Israel and Iran. In recent weeks, comments by Israeli officials have raised concerns that Israel may be considering an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Israeli military analyst Reuven Pedatzur said Monday’s action was unlikely to have any bearing on whether Israel attacks Iran, and instead referred to the explosion as an “isolated incident”.

Read: Israeli diplomat’s car bombed in India >

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Comments (32 Comments)

  • Alan Mulvey 13/02/12 #
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    eye for a eye me thinks

  • Conor Oneill 13/02/12 #
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    Israel also exports terror. Hypocrites

  • Alex Pigot 13/02/12 #
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    Is this a news story. Car goes on fire in New Delhi, cause unknown. Eh no. Suspect package discovered under car, contents unknown. Eh no. Journal.ie please!

    • Susan Ryan 13/02/12 #
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      Hi Alex, investigations are continuing into all of the incidents outlined in the piece above. As mentioned, the Georgian authorities say they defused the device found beneath the car in Tbilisi.

  • Stephen Maher 13/02/12 #
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    No mention if the Iranian scientist blown to bits in Tehran the other week.
    What I mean is, if yer gonna quote a finger-pointer, why not offer some context?

    • Ciarán Reilly 13/02/12 #
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      Do a search. The Journal has reported the assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists.

    • Stephen Maher 13/02/12 #
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      I meant in this article.
      Do try to keep up!!

    • Ciarán Reilly 13/02/12 #
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      Well, the Iranians have just denied any involvment in the attacks. And, since I’m sure you wouldn’t think them capable of lying, this has got nothing to do with those assassinations and hence, it wouldn’t make sense to mention them in this article.

    • Brian Ward 13/02/12 #
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      Sky News ” Israel points finger at Iran over bombings”. Iran says they didn’t do it. The bombs apparently were “sticky”bombs, explosive devices attached to the car with magnets. A motorcyclist pulled up alongside and attached the device , sped off and the bomb exploded shortly afterwards. Wonder where they learned that trick? Sounds like the Iranians are giving two fingers to Mossad.

  • Daniel Rea 13/02/12 #
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    Revenge for Iranian scientist assasination methinks.Fight fire with fire

    • Ciarán Reilly 13/02/12 #
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      I think a quick root around the foreign affairs section of any newspaper will show that there are many governments around the world who might want to bump off the brains behind Iran’s nuclear project.

      And a quick root around the history section of your local library will show that Israeli diplomats have been getting murdered since long before Iran started getting nuclear ambitions.

    • Paddy O Farrell 13/02/12 #
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      Do you think that assassinating a nuclear scientist who is developing weapons to wipe your country out and killing diplomats are equivalent?

    • Too Trueleft 13/02/12 #
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      @ Paddy. If you have any evidence whatsoever that Iran is developing a nuclear bomb and intends to use it against Israel, you should pass it onto the Israeli or American embassies. Whats that? You don’t have any? Thought so.

    • Brian Ward 13/02/12 #
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      Why should he pass it on to the Israeli or American embassies? Surely the International Atomic Energy Agency are the people who he should contact.

  • Charles Mark 13/02/12 #
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    The Haters are quick off the mark as ever.

  • Adam Magari 13/02/12 #
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    Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, assuming reports are accurate.

  • Paddy O Farrell 13/02/12 #
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    My comment just got deleted,again.

  • Jon S W Rainey 13/02/12 #
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    Israel needs to step up security, and make sure it targets these terrorists so they are eliminated. Embassys are often easy targets, where civilians work and therefore a favourite spot of faceless terrorists. Thank goodness Israel has the balls to go after people who attack it! Oh and to TheJournal.ie, a good friend of mine Barry Williams seems to have been banned from posting ….. its a bit unafir considering his views are held by many of us and nothing offensive has been posted. In the interest of balanced and fair commentary, and to keep your site from being one sided, I hope you will reconsider his position!!! Thanks!

  • Susan Ryan 13/02/12 #
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    Hi folks,
    The site’s comments policy is here if you want to check it: http://www.thejournal.ie/comments-policy/
    Please note: “TheJournal.ie will not enter into any discussion with users about comments which have been removed or the decision to block a user.”

    • Declan Carroll 13/02/12 #
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      Whatever about not getting into a discussion on the related thread – fair enough. However, thejournal.ie could afford the person you banned an explanation via e-mail. For what it is worth. Am disappointed. We all don’t agree & see the same point of view. That’s why we discuss. Ah, well – I suppose we ought to be thankful we don’t live in N Korea !! ( A joke btw. Please don’t delete !! ).

    • Brian Ward 13/02/12 #
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      Watch it now Declan or you’ll be joining Barry in the bold boys corner! :-)

  • Declan Carroll 13/02/12 #
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    I know, Brian. I have my wee stool ready for when I’m put in da corner !! Have 6 pack, too !! A humourous reply journo.ie. Re the news thread – I wish all this nonsense would end. Worldwide.

    • Colm Mooney 13/02/12 #
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      freedom.of speech is just that…free spech! i never saw anything remotely offensive posted by Barry. i on the otherhand have been called a “un” as im openly protestant and follow Rangers..ive been referred to.as a schmuck which is a jewish slang term for pr**k and both authors of those commentscare still.posting. fair playing field please