Iran fires at Syria over parade attack

Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard says it has launched ballistic missiles into eastern Syria targeting militants it blames for a recent attack.

rocket launch in Iran

Iran's Revolutionary Guard has launched a series of missiles targeting IS in eastern Syria. (AAP)

Iran has fired missiles at militants in Syria it blames for an attack at a military parade in its southwest more than a week ago.

The attack took place at 2 am local time and targeted the bases of "takfiri terrorists" backed by America and regional powers in eastern Syria, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement published on Sepah News.

Iranian officials often use the word "takfiri" to describe Sunni Muslim hardliners. Iran is predominantly Shi'ite Muslim.

The ballistic missiles used in the attack flew 570 km to hit the targets, the Guards said.

"Our iron fist is prepared to deliver a decisive and crushing response to any wickedness and mischief of the enemies," the Guards said in the statement.

The Ahvaz National Resistance, an Iranian ethnic Arab separatist movement, and the Islamic State have both claimed responsibility for the attack in which 25 people were killed.

Neither group has presented conclusive evidence to back up their claim.

The Revolutionary Guards, the most powerful military force in the Islamic Republic, said in the statement six missiles were fired into Syria from western Iran.

Seven drones were also used to bomb militant targets during the attack, which killed a number of militant leaders and destroyed supplies and infrastructure used by the group, the Guards said.

Twelve Guards were among those killed in the attack on September 22, when gunmen fired on a viewing stand as military officials watched a ceremony in the city of Ahvaz marking the start of Iran's 1980-1988 war with Iraq.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the highest authority in Iran, said last week the militants responsible were paid by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and Iran would "severely punish" those behind the violence.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have denied involvement in the attack.


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Source: AAP


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