Iran willing to help Thailand identify 'real terrorists'

Thailand police believe Iranian terror cell behind last week's botched attack on Israeli diplomats, but Tehran says accusation part of 'scenario prepared by US, Zionist officials'

Dudi Cohen|Published: 02.22.12 , 22:47

Despite the arrest of a number of Iranians believed to be behind last week's botched terror attack against Israeli diplomats in Bangkok, Iran is certain the "real culprits" are still at large: Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Iran was willing to assist in identifying "the culprits behind the Thailand explosions and introduce them to the international community as a gesture of good will," IRNA reported Wednesday.

Mehmanparast denied claims Iran was involved in the attack, saying "they are all fabricated and false and are parts of a scenario prepared by US and Zionist officials."

According to the spokesman, Israel has accused Iran of orchestrating the attack because it feels pressured by the "Islamic awakening movements" in Mideast countries that saw regime changes during the Arab Spring.

רדיו ששימש להסתרת המטענים

Radio used to hide explosives

"The Zionist regime is trying to compensate for the pressure it is under in light of the Islamic awakening in the region, which is rooted in Iran," he said, adding that the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists was another part of the "(Zionist) scenario."

Last week Mehmanparast said Israel blamed Iran for the attack to try and harm "the friendly and historic relations" between the Islamic Republic and Thailand.

Thailand's police suspect a terror cell of six Iranians was behind the botched attempt to kill the Israeli ambassador in Bangkok.

ABC News reported that the Iranian terrorists targeting Israeli facilities in Bangkok planned to use $27 portable radios to hide their explosives.

Airing exclusive photos of one of the bombs discovered, the network showed the inside of the radio, packed with tiny ball bearings and six magnets. According to explosive experts, the device's design indicates that the bomb was meant to be attached to the side of a vehicle.