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Evidence Shows Tehran Connection in New Delhi, Bangkok Bombings


Indian police forensics experts investigate the scene after an explosion tore through a car belonging to the Israel Embassy in New Delhi, India, February 13, 2012.
Indian police forensics experts investigate the scene after an explosion tore through a car belonging to the Israel Embassy in New Delhi, India, February 13, 2012.

India is seeking international arrest warrants for three Iranians suspected of being part of a plot to attack Israeli diplomats.

New Delhi Police Chief Brijesh Gupta said Friday India has contacted Interpol about warrants for the three men, thought to be behind last month's bombing of a car belonging to the Israeli embassy. He said investigators have also linked them to a failed bombing in Thailand.

The February 13 attack in New Delhi wounded the wife of an embassy official as she was on her way to pick up her children from school. Indian officials say the bomber attached the explosives to the car using magnets. Officials in Thailand say those same magnets were used in a bomb that detonated prematurely a day later in Bangkok.

Thai police arrested two Iranians in connection with the Bangkok explosion. A third man, Sedaghatzadeh Masoud, was detained in Malaysia.

On Friday, New Delhi's police chief said investigators had determined that the suspects in the New Delhi attack had been in contact with Masoud.

Israel has openly accused Iran of trying to carry out a series of attacks, including a bombing in Tbilisi, Georgia. Iran denies the allegations.

Tensions between the two countries have reached new heights as Israel threatens to take military action against Iran's nuclear facilities. Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Just last week, India arrested an Indian journalist working for an Iranian news agency in connection with the New Delhi attack.

Authorities claim Mohammad Kazmi had been in touch with the man who planted the bomb. New Delhi Police Chief Gupta said Friday that Kazmi's confession was instrumental in uncovering the wider conspiracy.

Kazmi's lawyer and his family claim he is innocent. During a news conference last week, Kazmi's son blasted the allegations as "baseless."

And a prominent Islamic cleric based in Lucknow accused India of acting on behalf of Israel and the United States. Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad Naqvi said Kazmi's only crime was "that he used to write against Israel and the U.S. while advocating the concerns of Iran."

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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