Iran denies involvement in al-Zahran explosion

Iran has denied statements by several American officials concerning a link between Tehran and the al-Zahran (Saudi Arabia) explosion in 1996. Iran also refused yesterday an American call for a cooperation in the current investigations concerning the explosion that targeted US military personnel in Saudi Arabia in 1996

The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Hameed Rida Asifi, reiterated that there is no connection between Iran and such events.

Asifi stressed Iran's policy, which calls for eliminating tension and building confidence among the countries of the region. He added that debating such claims aims at provoking partitions and splitting the countries of the region.

In his statement, US State Department Spokesman James Rubin said the USA has information that does not rise to the level of proof which indicates that a number of the suspects traveled to Iran following the attack and that Iranian officials had a role in the accident.

The Iranian spokesman stressed the need of the US to avoid the policy of threats to settle its problems with Iran, describing such a policy as futile.