Group behind deadly Iran bombing based in Pakistan

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr MottakiManouchehr Mottaki Tuesday stepped up pressure on Islamabad, saying the group accused of launching a deadly suicide attack in the country is based in Pakistan.

Mottaki said members of the group regularly violate the Iran-Pakistan border and launch attacks inside the Islamic republic.

"They cross into Iran illegally. They are based in Pakistan," Mottaki said without naming the group, as he ramped up pressure on Iran's friendly neighbour.

"The hands of those behind the crimes in southeast Iran must be cut," he added.

A suicide bomber on Sunday blew himself up at a meeting between commanders of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards and local tribesmen in the town of Pisheen in Iran's restive Sistan-Baluchestan province, bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Seven Guards commanders and dozens of other people were killed in the attack which Iranian officials allege was carried out by the shadowy Jundallah group that is waging a rebellion against the rule from Tehran.

Iranian President Mahmoud AhmadinejadIranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday urged his Pakistani counterpart to confront the rebels, saying the "presence of terrorist elements in Pakistan is not justifiable."

"The Pakistani government should help to quickly arrest these criminals so they can punished," Ahmadinejad told Asif Ali ZardariAsif Ali Zardari during a telephone call received from the Pakistani leader.

The head of the Guards, General Mohammad AliMohammad Ali Jafari, said on Monday that Tehran will demand that Pakistan hand over Jundallah leader Abdolmalek Rigi, who is accused of being the mastermind of the bombing.

Jafari said a Tehran delegation will head to Pakistan to deliver "proof to them so they know that the Islamic Republic is aware of its (Pakistan's) support" to the group led by Rigi.

Iranian officials have also accused Britain and the United States of involvement in the attack. Both countries have denied the allegations.