Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Reuters-Possible Assassination Attempt on Iran's Ahmadinejad

photo credit: Reuters/STR
(Story reported by Robin Pomeroy)

(Reuters) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was unharmed when a homemade explosive went off near his motorcade during a visit to the western city of Hamadan on Wednesday, a source in his office said.

The source said Ahmadinejad's convoy was targeted as he was traveling from Hamadan's airport to give a speech in a local sports arena. The president was unhurt but others had been injured in the blast. One person was arrested.

"There was an attack this morning. Nothing happened to the president's car," the source told Reuters. "Investigations continue ... to find out who was behind it."

But Iranian state media later said only a firecracker had been set off by an excited young man happy to see the president

Ahmadinejad, who has cracked down on opposition since a disputed June 2009 presidential election, appeared on live Iranian television at the sports stadium. He looked unperturbed and made no mention of any assault.

(click here to read the full story in Reuters)    

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